SKETCHES 

n 



CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

IN 

HAMPDEN COUNTY, MASS.; 

A\D ALSO, 

AX ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE PASTORS, 

BY REV. T. M. COOLEY, D.D. 

AT METTIXEAGUE, SEPTEMBER 13, 1853. 

BY A COMMITTEE OE PASTORS. 



WESTFIELD : 
PUBLISHED BY S. W. EDSON. 

185-1. 



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pkintkk A\n Hrrna«oTTP*«, 
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INTRODUCTION. 



The Hampshire County Association of Congregational 
Ministers at its formation was co-extensive with the original 
count j of Hampshire. In 1747 it was divided into Hamp- 
shire North and South ; the latter included the present 
county of Hampden, "Warren in Worcester county, and 
Somers, Enfield, and Suffield in Connecticut. After the 
deaths of those ministers, whose churches were not within 
the limits of Hampden, their successors united with other 
Associations, and the Pastors of Brimfield and Holland, 
who are within this county, united with the Brookfield 
Association. 

After the division of old Hampshire county, in 1812, 
into three counties, the Hampshire South Association took 
the name of Hampden. In 1844, in consequence of the 
difficulty which the members at one extremity experienced 
in attending meetings when holden at the other, the Asso- 



IV INTRODUCTION. 

ciation was divided by the Connecticut River into two, 
Hampden East and Hampden West. 

About three years ago the two Associations requested 
Dr. Cooley, being the oldest member, to address the united 
body at some time when it would suit his convenience and 
theirs to do so. In June last he requested the Association 
to appoint a committee to prepare a statistical account of 
the churches and pastors to be presented at the time he 
should give his Address. 

The committee appointed for this purpose were, Rev. K. 
Davis, Rev. O. A. Oviatt and Rev. E. B. Clarke, the 
first of whom prepared the Sketches of Hampden ^ 
and Brimrleld and Holland in Hampden East ; the second, 
aided by the third, prepared the Sketches of Hampden 
East. The other matter was prepared by the firs:, 
by the last. 

Such is the origin of this small volume, which it is 
hoped will be acceptable to the Pastors and Churches in 
this county. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Introduction 3 

Dr. Cooley's Address 9 

Churches in Hampden West. 

Blandford 35 

Chester 38 

u Factories 41 

;; Village 42 

Granville. East 43 

" West 46 

Holyoke 1 49 

* ; 2 50 

Montgomery 51 

Eussel 54 

Tolland 58 

Westfield 60 

West Springfield 64 

" Feeding Hills 68 

11 Agawam 71 

M Metteneague 72 

Churches in Hampde?i East. 

Brimfield 72 



Page 

Chicopee 1 76 

" 2 82 

" 3 83 

HoUand 83 

Longmeadow 84 

" East : 90 

Ludlow 90 

" Jencksville 93 

Monson 93 

Palmer 96 

" 2 99 

Springfield 100 

" Hill 106 

" South... 107 

" North 108 

Wilbraham, North 109 

" South 112 

Extracts from Minutes. ... 114 

Questions , 122 

Licentiates 131 

Systematic Benevolence 142 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF PASTORS. 



Page 

Alvord, A 40 

Atwater, N 60 

Austin, F. D 59 

Austin, D. R 92 

Backus. S 98 

Badger, J 37 

Baker, J 47 

Ballantine. J 61 

Baldwin, M 97 

Baldwin. A. C 106 

Bartlett, S. C 95 

Barton, F. W 81 

Bascom, A 38 

Beebe, H SS 

Bowers, J Ill 

Booge, A. J id 

Breck, B, 103 

Breed. D 41 

Brewer, D 103 

Bridgham. J 73 

Brown, C 73 

Brown, E 110 

Buckingham, S. G 10S 

Bull, N 61 

Burns. R 96 

Burt, E BS 

Chapin, S 48 

Clark, D 38 

Clark. E. B 80 

Clarki L. W 112 

Clark, S 40 

Clapp, S. G B2 

Clinton, 1 55 

Condir. J. B S7 

Cooler. T. M 45 

Cooley, H 5S 

Colton. S 97 

Cross, M. K 99 



Page 

i)ana, J 50 

Davis, E 63 

Dickinson, B 87 

Dixon, W. E 89 

Eddy, H 

Edson, S. W 52 

Ely. A 94 

Emerson, S. M 39 

Fav. W 74 

Field, H. M 67 

Fletcher, T 56 

Foor, C 55 

id. A 54 

Fowler, J. H 

Fuller. ' J 

Glover, r 102 

GTisn 68 

Hall, W 93 

Harding. J. W 88 

Harrison, R 5S 

Harvey, J 96 

R. S 69 

Hazen, J. A 112 

Hine, S 99 

Hinsdale. C. J 38 

Hopkins. S 

urd," B 105 

Howe, E. G 56 

Hunter. J 67 

J Ill 

J 94 

J 37 

Kittredge, C. B 95 

Knapp, 1 63 

:. C 53 

it, B 51 

Laihrop, J 65 

id. H. J 



INDEX. 



Vll 



Page 

McClanathan, W 35 

McKinstiy, J 76 

Merrick, N 109 

Miller, S 50 

Morton, J 36 

Moxon, G 101 

Morse, J 75 

Noble,' S 51 

Osgood, S 106 

Oviatt, G-. A 82 

Page, A. C 84 

Partridge, G. C 75 

Patrick, J 36 

Perry, R 71 

Phoenix, A 78 

Pierce, A. C 51 

Pomeroy, R 39 

Porter, N 107 

Reeve, E 83 

Rogers, E. P 81 

Rose, I. G Ill 

Rossiter, D 55 

Russell, E 107 

Sabin, A 94 

Sanderson, A 59 

Sanford, J 84 

Seeley, R. H 108 

Skinner, E. S 113 

Smith, J 44 

Smith, H 70 



Page 

Smith, H. B 49 

Sprague, W. B 66 

Steward, A 90 

Storrs, R. S 86 

Strong, S. W 107 

Sweet, H. H. F 98 

Taylor, E 60 

Treat, R 72 

Tuck, J. W 93 

Tupper, M 89 

Tuttle. M 43 

Vaill, J 74 

Vermilye, T 66 

Ward, S. D 70 

Walker, T 42 

Ware, J. K 98 

Warren, M 112 

Warriner, F 41 

Williams, S 85 

Williams, N 73 

Williams, D 70 

Willard, J 110 

Witter, E 110 

Wilson, T 99 

Wolcot, S 88 

Wood, A. A 67 

Woodbridge, J 98 

Wright E.B 92 

Wright, W 81 



ALPHABETICAL M)EX OF LICENTIATES. 



Page 

Adams, R 134 

Allen, W 139 

Appleton, J 133 

Baldwin, T 134 

Baldwin, W. W 141 

Bagg, D. T 140 

Ball, H 133 



Page 

Ballantine, J 132 

Beardsley, N 135 

Bement, W 138 

Biscoe, A 134 

Bliss, M. „ i3i 

Bliss. E 133 

Blakesly, S. V 141 



V 111 



INDEX. 



Page 

Bliss, I. G 141 

Booge, P. V 132 

Curl. S 134 

Burt, E, 13.3 

t. J 137 

Bradford, E. P 134 

. i A 2 

. !» 

Bryon, G. A 141 

. 13<J 

Chapin, E 

Church, A 

Clapp, 1 137 

Chirk. 

P 

. Mil 
Coe, 11 

Collins. A. B. . 

Cook, !•:. B. .. 

. 110 

Ctuhii . in 

. . 11(1 
. 1 11 
Ely, A 
FairchildL J. EL 

Fiahor, .' 

. F 

(iatviu. 1 

uav. 

Gibbs, Ml 

Goddard, C. Gk. . [49 

Goodrich, I 
Gueroa 

Hair. .1.1.. 138 

Hatch, EL< .136 

13S 

. 13S 

3, P. 

. 137 
Hunn, D. L 136 



I?ham, W 

.J 

Knight, J 

Lam. ... 

Lathrop, J 

Lawrence, .1 . 
.•ard, 0. . . 

Morgan. J. C. . . 

1 

. 

Tha. 

Turner, D. K. 

W* . 

•1. L. 
Whit 
Will 

. K.. 

L... 



ADDRESS 



HAMPDEN EAST AM) WEST ASSOCIATIONS. 



REV. T. M. COOLEY, D.D. 



" The redemption of the soul is precious, and it 
ceaseth for ever." In carrying into effect the work 
of redeeming love, the grand instrumentality which 
God employs is the Christian ministry. " For 
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord 
shall be saved. But how then shall they call on 
him in whom they have not believed ? And how 
shall they believe in him of whom they have not 
heard ? And how shall they hear without a 
preacher ? And how shall they preach except they 
be sent ?" As it is written, " How beautiful upon 
the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth 
good tidings ? that publisheth peace ? that bringeth 
good tidings of good ? that publisheth salvation ? that 
saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth." 

1* 



10 ADDRESS. 

Beloved Brethren : 

I come before you to-day, to perform a duty of 
affecting responsibility. By your kind invitation, I 
am to address you i i minis! 

a subject dear to us all — a Bubji :h, above all 

others, has engaged my into icitude for more 

than half a century. 

But I have nothing new for th I 

shall attempt only to stir up your pure minds by 
way of remembran* 

The serious consideration that I speak to you, 
while standing on the confines of th . and of 

the world of Bpirits, will not fail to give me 
interest in your Bympathi* - attention, and 

prayers. Am! the fact that I have just been m 
taring at the death-bed and funeral of one of our 
venerable brethren in the ministry/ h ured 

me, 1 trust, in some measure to 
minister to dying min Vnd, in the limited 

range of subjects appro] in, what 

shall be the special theme ui on ! I will 

attempt, by the aid o\ divn. . to oflfi 

thoughts on the of s failure 

of success m the ministr 

Though we are in the "surprise 



ADDRESS. 11 

conversions" under a faithful ministry, in the days of 
Edwards, and where the churches more recently 
have been blessed with heavenly refreshings, yet I 
shall make no apology for the choice of my subject. 

To fail of success in the ministry is an event 
which we cannot contemplate but with the most 
painful emotions. Our efforts are usually successful 
or unsuccessful, in proportion to the prudence and 
the zeal, or the carelessness and apathy with which 
they are directed. 

He who enters the sacred office with mercenary 
views, with a heart wedded to the world, will prove 
no blessing to the Church, and, without speedy 
repentance, will induce upon himself the heaviest 
condemnation. " And if he perishes," to adopt the 
language of Bishop Burnet, " he does not perish 
alone, but carries a shoal down with him, either of 
those who have perished in ignorance, through his 
neglect, or of those who have been hardened in sin, 
through his ill example." 

But, conceding that ministers are good men, 
sound in the faith, and correct in moral habits, may 
there not exist such faults and failings as will induce 
a formal, inefficient, and unsuccessful ministry ? 

1. Ministers may fail, in a great measure, of 
success, through the weakness of their Christian 
graces. 

The messenger of the Lord of Hosts must be a 



12 ADDRESS. 

good man, but must not be contented with a com- 
mon measure of goodness. " He ought to aspin 
a purity above that of common Christ i; wr- 

ing to that of angel*." Do his advantages for 
personal holiness far exceed those of other men ? 
Do his studies, his labors. Ins trials and confl 
conspire together to wean him from the world, and 
to quicken and i liis religiout affections? Is 

he, by the very nature of hi* 

exempted, in some sense, from earthly cares, and 
preserved from the corrupting influence and evil 
example of the world i lie more < 

views of the m\ it . and D 

leisure than otb« mplate thoff m 

riea ! He must then prove but a poor proficient, if 
he tads to " pun and 

great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ 
Jesus." 

The preacher who is eminent in personal religion, 
is furnished with a ruh stpre <>t experimental 
knowledge, which will enable him to cojnforl and 
instruct the disciples in th* ir 

trial and darkness, and solve their vari« I of 

conscience. "The Btrongwill bear the infirm 
of the weak, and bo fulfil the lav 
a preacher will exhibit divine truth in a . 
impressive manner, from th nd to th 

He will pray m< nd will I 



ADDRESS. 13 

to expect the aid and guidance of the Holy Spirit in 
every movement in the pastoral office. " The 
secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and 
he will shew them his covenant." In every depart- 
ment of the sacred office, his face will shine, like 
that of Moses, after he had been with God on the 
mount. 

The history of the Church, in all past time, w T ill 
furnish illustrations and facts on this subject. Who, 
let me inquire, have been the most favored instru- 
ments in promoting evangelical piety, and pulling 
down the strongholds of Satan ? Who have been 
the great reformers of the Church, and of the 
world ? And who are now the most successful 
pastors in the churches ? Is it not evident, beyond 
debate, that the instruments whom God is wont to 
honor, are such as are distinguished for their vivid 
and consistent piety, and preach by their example ? 

To this remark there may be exceptions. Unholy 
men may have preached the gospel with success. 
In this respect, the Holy Spirit is not limited. 
Hence, says the apostle, " Whether in pretence or 
in truth Christ is preached, I do rejoice, yea, and 
will rejoice." While real conversions, and genuine 
revivals of religion may have occurred in connexion 
with the labors of unsanctified men, others, of whom 
the world was not worthy, have, in deepest mourn- 
ing, uttered their complaints, that they have labored 



14 ADDRESS. 

in vain, and .spent their strength for nought. How 
was the sublime eloquence of the prophet Isaiah, 
and the tears and expostulations of Jeremiah poured 
forth upon stupid, irreclaimable hearers? 1! 
unavailing were the wonderful sermons, and even 
the tears of him that 

It must be confessed, therefore, thai the instru- 
mentality of some of the brightest ornaments in the 
Church has been litl ler their 

irreclaimable hearers th< Me in their 

unbelief. How fearful was the commission to one 
of the ancient prophets, " Go and tell this 

hear ye indeed, but understand not, and 
indeed, but perceive net; make tl this 

lie fat, and make theil 
their ( J es, l< Bt th their -id hear 

with th< and understand with their hi 

and convert and be heal* " S 
a failure of mi. -. by no 

criterion of Christian character or ministerial fidelity. 
We cannot, hew formal and worldly 

spirit in the minis!. jion must imparl 

paralyzing influence to all their ministrati< i s. >uch 
a spirit must tend, most fatally, to quiet the i 
science of the bold tfai ion the 

vain hopes of the formalist and the hy: 
to cherish, even in the children oi 
warmness and declension. The tone oi morals and 



ADDRESS. 15 

piety in the Church must depend much upon the 
religious character of her teachers. Brethren, when 
shall we so live and feel, that we can, from the 
heart, address the Churches, in the language of the 
Apostle Paul — " Ye are witnesses, and God also, 
how holily, and justly, and unblamably we have 
behaved ourselves among you that believe V 

2. Success in the ministry is often diminished by 
a fault in the composition of sermons. 

The hours devoted immediately to the house of 
God are few and precious. To direct the thoughts 
of the congregation, and lead them in their devo- 
tions, in these sacred seasons, must be an office of 
infinite moment and fearful responsibility. It is 
said of Martin Luther, though a man of great 
courage, that he could not, even to the latest hour 
of his life, conquer his fear, when he ascended the 
pulpit. Here, therefore, the faithful pastor will put 
forth his best-directed efforts, and a fault here must 
be of serious and fatal consequence. 

* * * :; ^he pulpit, m the sober use 
Of its legitimate, peculiar powers, 

Must stand acknowledged, while the world shall stand, 
The most important and effectual guard, 
Support, and ornament of virtue's cause.' ' 

Some fail here by neglect of due preparation. 
Trusting to the feelings and thoughts of the moment, 



16 ADDRESS. 

they deliver a mere declamation, which will neither 
edify the believer, nor convince the infidel. This 
may be done under pretence of relying wholly on 
the aids of llie Holy Spirit. But how is such aid 
to be expected ? No1 to supersede, but to accom- 
pany our own most laborious efforts. Many impor- 
tant truths lie deep, and must be drawn forth by 
patient, persevering inv< »n. He who would 

me an inter. I preacher, must, on 

no p fled the cha be Apostle Paul 

Timothy — "Give attendance to reading, to 
exhortation, to doctrine ; meditate on these this 
give thyself wholly to them, thai thy profiting may 
appear unto all." 
It is the busii 

as. Lei him beware, tin n, of all Lighl 

ill, or affectation of wit. W ■ uto him, 

who 

" W - ■ grin \vl; old win a I 

Or break 

A low and \ style, which dej the 

sublime subjects of our holy religion, will disg 

the hearer, and defeat i. 

on the contrary, laden with ornament, while it may 
oratitv a corrupt tai rms the truth. \ 

mon studiously decked with dowers, failing to n 



ADDRESS. 17 

the conscience, will leave an assembly unaffected. 
" It would be a sad thing thus to barter away the 
souls of men for the highest and justest reputation 
of writing with elegance, and shining well." Says 
Archbishop Fenelon — " I love a serious preacher, 
who speaks for my sake, not his own ; who seeks 
my salvation, not his own vainglory." 

The great object of the ministry is often defeated 
by suppressing that class of truths which are pecu- 
liarly offensive to the carnal heart. Some seem to 
think it their duty to temporize or to varnish the 
truth, so as to disarm it of its penetrating terror. 
The fault here alluded to is not that of preaching 
false doctrines, but of keeping back those doctrines 
which show to unholy mortals their depravity, their 
danger, and their dependence. Thus did not Christ 
nor his apostles. They exhibited the truth, and the 
whole truth, in a plain manner, and in terms which 
must awaken deep feeling. They caused the truth 
to beam upon their hearers with the light of the 
meridian sun. A fault, in this particular, to which 
we are continually exposed, by the love of praise, 
and the fear of censure, may indeed secure a fleeting 
popularity, but it will be at the infinite hazard of a 
failure of success in the ministry. With all the 
improvements of the past half century, and they 
are many, whether we have made improvements in 
the plain, pungent, pointed preaching of the doc- 



18 ADDRESS. 

trine of the cross, admits of a painful doubt. It is 
objected, indeed, that men do not love, and will not 
endure sound doctrine. They would not endure it 
even from the lips of the Saviour. The world will 
always remain, even to the end, inimical to the doc- 
trines of v . t. It will always reply to ministers 
as the Jews did to Christ himself — " This is a hard 
saying, who can hear it." Unconverted men do not 
love the truth, and we are not required to cause 
them to love it ; but we must preach it fullv, 
whether they will hear, or whether they will for- 
bear. If we shrink from this duty, how can we 
expect the blessing of God upon our labors, or how 
can wc appropriate to ourselves the declaration of 
the apostle — " I take you to record, this day, that I 
am free from the blood of all men, for I have not 
shunned to declare the whole counsel of God." 
The remark of our late illustrious Secretary of 
State is well worthy our serious attention. Said he, 
" When I attend on a preacher. I wish to have it a 
personal matter. A personal matter ! I want my 
pastor to come to me in the spirit of the Gospel, 
saving, you are mortal ! your work must be done 
speedily ! you are immortal too ; you are hastening 
to the bar of God. Behold the Judge standeth aj; 
the door !" 

3. Ministers fail of success through want of fer- 
vencv in the delivery of God's messages to men. 



ADDRESS. 19 

A serious, unaffected, impressive method of dis- 
pensing the Gospel must be a most desirable attain- 
ment. He who would make others feel, must 
himself feel. Let the most serious truths be 
delivered without emotion in the speaker, and the 
hearers will feel a doubt whether he fully realizes 
his own message. The story of the bishop and 
the stage-player, though often told, w T ill not suffer by 
a repetition. " How happens it," said the bishop, 
" that you stage-players treat of fiction, and yet 
people are attentive and deeply affected, while we 
preachers treat of the most important realities with- 
out effect ?" " Because," said the stage-player, 
" you treat realities as fictions, but we treat fictions 
as realities." The sermons of Shepard, of Cam- 
bridge, were written in tears, and we may infer how 
they were delivered, from the fact that it was 
inquired of those who attended, by those who were 
detained from the house of God, Who was moved 
upon 1 

The animation of the pulpit must be real, not 
affected. It must consist in a holy unction, the 
fruit of experimental, habitual faith. The preacher 
must seek, in the closet, a preparation for the 
duties of the pulpit. He must preach his sermons 
to himself, and implore the blessing of God upon 
them. But, if we neglect this holy and prayerful 
discipline, we shall be compelled to adopt the com- 



20 ADDju; — . 

plaint of the pious Baxter — " I confess I must speak 
it, by lamentable experience ; I publish to my flock 
the distempers of my soul. When I have grown 
cold, they have grown cold accordingly. The next 
prayers I have heard from them are too much like 
my last sermon." 

4. Ministers fail 61 ; i ignora 

the state and el of the people. 

In every congregation th< variety of 

character — the educated, the ignorant, the d 
and immoral, the speculative believer and tl 
liever. ll<»w can a pastor who 'lit of their 

state and character administer timely instruct 
How can he adapt himself to limes and <»< 

when much good may 1>. 

by a single effort in s< ison ! 
will know, critically, the stat< ol lb will 

know what to p id how to act. Th< 

will never find him slumbering on hii He will 

watch every change, and 1>< 

This know h ! not 

to be obtained in the closet. The pastor n 
from house to house, and penetrate into the reli- 
gious history of neighborhoods and families. And 
while this will eost him an ezpens 
time and toil, it will not only bring tie I to 

the fireside with effect, but it will procure a fun 
useful knowledge, which will enable him to b 



ADDRESS. 21 

upon the particular circumstances of the people. If 
there is a revived seriousness, if opportunity pre- 
sents to give a death-blow to some fashionable vice, 
or to revive some decaying religious institution, he 
is prepared, like a faithful watchman, to meet every 
diversified event. Nor will he neglect the moment 
for a happy effort, which may soon pass by, never 
to return. 

I cannot omit to add, in this connexion, that all I 
have said bespeaks the vast importance of a perma- 
nent ministry. He who exchanges his field of labor 
once in six or ten years, sacrifices, of course, this 
peculiar knowledge of men and things, so difficult 
to be obtained, and so essential to a successful 
ministry. In how many respects both pastors and 
churches, during the past one-third of a century, 
have been bleeding at the heart, in consequence of 
these changes, and how many souls have perished, 
the developments only of eternity can fully reveal to 
us. To my brethren and to the churches I must here 
leave my humble and dying testimony in favor of a 
permanent n inistry. 

5. Success in the ministry is much diminished by 
neglect of the rising generation. 

As many as one-half of our parishioners are 
under the age of sixteen years, and one-third, 
according to my bills for fifty-eight years, die under 
ten. The young are the hope of the Church. The 



22 ADDRE- 

first years of life are the most important. The 

Holy Spirit strives with children and youth. I 

not, therein, ible and sinful t< 

this portion of the flock, till their I 

inveterate, and their cure c lively h< 

Shall the enemy be buA ■•■ in 

peace, and strengthen h 

the evil hei to view, the influence and 

ta ol the i' stor will adminii 
remedy. V trive to n Christian 

parents to the tend< 
and salvation of their children. Let pfc 

he ad\ iscd to take their children to th 
counsel and pr,:\ ( r. w itfa < 

early conversion to God. 1. its be h e 

ijito the nature and spiritaal importance of infant 
baptism, and ndvised to bring tlieir children early 
and believingly ramental seal. Im 

not, through false d< licacy, . 

rase many whom we fellov 

eel and deny tins ordin ' my 

privilege to witness e number * •! bappy, triumphant 
deaths among children I and 

thirteen 1 1, that I 

were all baptized children. We must our 

influence to Sabbat! and 

while we en'.i-l as man] 

hers and pupils, ntion to 



ADDRESS. 23 

these nurseries of religious instruction. Let every 
child that can read be furnished with a Bible, and 
persuaded to read it seriously and daily. Children 
that are Bible readers, generally, sooner or later, 
become converted. Our discourses from the pulpit 
are prepared, not for children, but for men of 
matured intellect. These are fed with the best 
fruits of our labors, while the lambs of the flock are 
too often suffered to perish with hunger, This is 
not acting the part of a faithful and wise steward, 
who gives to every one of the household a portion 
of meat in due season. It was a saying of Richard 
Baxter, that by a faithful and suitable use of means, 
the greatest part would be converted before they 
could understand a sermon. Well may we inquire, 
with much solicitude, have we not failed of obeying 
fully the command of the Saviour to his favorite 
apostle, " Feed my Lambs/ 3 

6, Ministers may partially or wholly fail of suc- 
cess, by their imprudent or wrong actions. 

The frailties of good men meet with no commiser- 
ation from the world. Instead of calling forth their 
tears, they awaken a spirit of raillery and derision. 
They are not covered with the mantle of charity, 
but sounded from lip to lip, as an argument against 
religion. And we know, too well, the character and 
dispositions of men, to expect any of their partiality 
in their animadversions on the frailties of ministers. 



24 ADDRESS. 

" For them," says Massihm, "they have eyes more 
censorious, and a tongue more empoisoned than for 
oilier men." The messenger of God, therefore, 
must, of all men, be most distinguished for sanctity 
of manners, for integrit ry lovely 

trait of character. Were J to teller 

such as Paul himself would hear, approve, and own. 

M J would 
In doctrine oncomi] t : In language plain ; 
plain In mann- 

natural in impressed 

II i: i : Ins awful charge, 

And 

May feel it too ; al "k, 

And t mdet in 

A meam ;1 men." 

His elevated station and awful responsibility require 
a corresponding dignity of deportment, mingled 
with meekness and affection, which will command 
both love and respect. It was the remark of an 
ancient king, " that man cannot commit a 

small sin." Said another ancient king, M D< 
cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth 
a stinking savor ; so doth a little folly him that is in 
reputation for wisdom and honor." An act oi indis- 
cretion and sin. seen m one in ti 
which miuht pass unnoticed in other men, makes an 
impression on those who witness it. which will 



ADDRESS. 



25 



never pass away. It is fresh in mind when they 
behold him in the pulpit, and, by an association of 
ideas, is connected with his most fervent prayers 
and affectionate addresses. Who can tell the sad 
effects of such indiscretions in the ministry on the 
susceptible, immortal mind ? " Be ye, therefore, 
wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." I feel it 
my duty to add, in this connexion, that, as far as I 
know, the orthodox ministry in New England, and, 
indeed, in our whole country, have been unsurpassed 
in zeal, self-denial, prudence, gifts, and graces, by 
any body of men in any age or country, with the 
exception of the days of inspiration. 

Having adverted to the causes, so far as human 
instrumentality is concerned, I proceed to consider 
some of the consequences of an unsuccessful 
ministry. 

1. God himself is dishonored. 

These ambassadors of God are, in some sense, 
His representatives. They are workers together 
with God. They act in His name. Their fidelity 
and success will bring to Him a revenue of glory, 
while their imprudences and scandals " will give 
occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." 
Far less poignant was the* wound inflicted by the 
spear of the Roman soldier, than that of a professed 
friend and disciple, who betrayed the Son of Man 
with a kiss. 

2 



26 ADDRESS. 

2. The sufferings of the cross become of none 
effect. 

When God made heaven and earth, it cost Him 
but a single word of His power. " He spake, and 
it was done, He commanded, and it stood fast." 
But, in the new creation, the price to be paid was 
the humiliation, the sufferings, and even the accur- 
sed death of the Son of God. In creation, some of 
the divine perfections are displayed ; but in redemp- 
tion, there is a harmony of all the attributes of 
divinity. " Mercy and truth have met together, 
righteousness and peace b; h other." 

How affecting the thought, that by a failure of suc- 
cess in the ministry, Christ is dishonored, and the 
Cross of Calvary is of no effect. " Be thai 
eth you, despiseth me ; and he thai despiseth me, 
despiseth Him that sent DOM 

3. The loss of many souls is another conse- 
quence. 

In every human being there is a rational spirit, 
which is valuable beyond all price. In intellectual 
endowments, man sustains an affinity to angels of 
light. In duration, he will outlive the mat< 
universe, ages untold. In capacity for happi 
and for Buffering, he B all thought and eon 

tion. The obscurest parishioner, in his future, i 
less destinies, will partake of a sum of pure 
happiness, greater than all the angela in lu 



ADDRESS. 27 

have hitherto enjoyed, or he will be doomed to 
endure a suffering, incomparably greater than all 
which fallen spirits in hell have hitherto endured. 
Therefore, if one immortal mind w T ere committed to 
us, with the charge, keep this man, and, " while w T e 
were busy here and there," he should be missing, 
w T ho could compute the affecting consequences ? 
Follow this parishioner to the closing scene of life, 
and he dies in despair. Follow him to the final 
judgment, and he is among the lost, at the left 
hand. Follow him till the greatest reach of thought 
is lost in endless futurity, and his sufferings continue 
unchanging and unchangeable. 

Apply this illustration to our whole charge, during 
the pastoral life. The average term, from the ordi- 
nation to the decease of a minister, is estimated at 
twenty-five years. A quarter of a century is the 
term of labor for each pastor, on an average. One 
thousand souls is the usual number within each pas- 
toral charge. Computing the changes by births and 
removals, the sum-total must be two thousand souls. 
All are immortal — all to be accounted for, to be 
saved or lost under his immediate watch ! ! Their 
salvation, in a very important sense, depends, under 
God, upon his fidelity. If he fails totally of success, 
so far as his instrumentality is concerned, they must 
all perish. Nor is this the full extent of his influ- 
ence. He will give a moral complexion to the 



28 ADDRESS. 

character of the next generation, which will exist, 
in its distinctive features, long after he has passed 
away from the earth. 

4. If ministers fail of success through their own 
fault, it must deeply affect their personal interc 4 

"We watch for souls as those who muit give 
account." The pastoral work is laborious, difficult, 
and responsible. If executed with earn . and 

with purity of intention, it will not fail of a glorify- 
ing reward. " Thou shalt save thyself and them 
that hear thee." To save himself will furnish to 
the faithful pastor an Oil of admiring gratitude 

for ever. To save them (hat hear him, will fill his 
immortal crown with <rems of unfading lustre. 
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of 
rejoicing 1 Are not even ye in the e of our 

Lord Jesus Christ at His apj 

There is no Other station where a want of fidelity 

onnected with such distiessnig and enduring 

results. Whal if civil ml< gted their con- 

stituents, or sport with their liberty and life ? What 
if Pharaoh imposed a rigorous sulfite upon a 

fenceless people, and they sighed by real hard 

bondage, or fell dead under the lath of hard task- 
masters ? What if the unoffending Madiai v 
locked up in damp and loathsome prisons, till the 
lamp of life was nearly extinguished ^t it 

multitudes have shed their blood on the battle 



ADDRESS. 29 

ground, to cherish the pride, or gratify the revenge 
of tyrants? What is all this complication of human 
suffering, compared with that of a congregation of 
lost souls, who have perished under an unfaithful 
ministry ? 

A voice from Heaven said to an ancient prophet, 
" son of man, I have made thee a watchman to 
the house of Israel. "When I say to the wicked, O 
wicked man, thou shalt surely die, if thou shalt not 
speak to warn the wicked man from his way, that 
wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood 
will I require at thy hand." Every one of us now 
in the pastoral office may apply the same charge 
and sanction to ourselves. Have we, beloved 
brethren, acted up to these high responsibilities ? 
Let us look back to the day when we were set 
apart to the sacred office, by imposition of the 
hands of the Presbytery. We often propose to 
ourselves the question, Have we redeemed the 
pledge of our ordination vows ? The inquiry is not 
whether we have pleased our parishioners. Our 
very failings may have done this. Neither is the 
inquiry whether we have been successful. Success, 
or the failure, is not the sure test of the ministerial 
character. The inquiry is the same as it will be at 
the Day of Judgment, when every sermon, every 
prayer, every pastoral visit, every duty, and every 
neglect shall be made to pass before us by the 



30 ADDRESS. 

Judge. Have we cherished a warm and active 
faith, watching diligently against every estrange- 
ment from God? Have we exhibited the Gospel 
plan of salvation clearly, fully, and earnestly, warn- 
ing every man, day and night, with tears? Should 
we visit our burial-grounds, or examine our bills of 
mortality, would DOB6 be found who have sunk 
down into endless suffering, and that through our 
neglect 1 It would stamp a boon on the dark: 
of the bottomless pit, if the lost souls eould lay 

their sins to the charge of their ministers. It would 

shroud in darkness, M to BJH ak. the 

if the blood of the wicked unwarned were found on 

our skirts. 

In referring to my own protracted ministry, re- 
markable almost beyond example, for the blest 
of health and comfort, mv infirmities, failures, and 

crimson sms compel me to exclaim, Mv leanip 

mv leanness ! May my dying prayer b« i the 

publican, M {*od be merciful to me, a sinner 

has been pleased to assign me the term of my 

ministry, in the vtrv age which I should have eh' 
for myself. It commenced with the commencement 

oi Home Mission* an t< The 

apocalyptic vision has passed before mv e\ 
most precious reality. Kev. \iv. 6. " And 1 
another angel fly in the midst o\ heaven, baring the 
everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on 



ADDRESS. 31 

the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and 
tongue, and people." Charitable and benevolent 
institutions have sprung up, as by enchantment. 
About the same time, and I record it with adoring 
thankfulness, commenced a series of revivals of 
religion, which led President Griffin to remark, that, 
when pastor of the Church in New Hartford, Conn., 
he could enumerate sixty places, in contiguous coun- 
ties, which were laid down in one field of pure revi- 
vals of religion. The four quarters of the globe 
have felt the influence of these heavenly visita- 
tions. 

I cannot omit to mention that, in connexion, in 
association, with the ministers in this county, I 
have enjoyed unmingled satisfaction. Great har- 
mony has marked our proceedings. " Behold how 
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell 
together in unity." In no instance has it been our 
painful duty to pass a judicial censure against any 
brother, for immorality or heresy. And, if the 
churches within our bounds, as well as the pastors, 
could hear my feeble voice, on this occasion, I 
would earnestly enforce the exhortation of the 
apostle (1 Tim. v. 17), " Let those be counted wor- 
thy of double honor who fatigue themselves with 
labors* in word and doctrine." The labors of the 
faithful pastor, in this age, both at home and in 

* Thus Doddridge paraphrases the original Ko-muvTan. 



32 ADDRESS. 

numerous calls abroad, are great and pressing. 
Hence the occasions for journeying and crossing 
the Atlantic, for recruiting a broken constitution. 
Hence, too, not a few of " the precious sons of 
Zion, comparable to fine gold," break down, and die 
young, or in middle life. Especially would I com- 
mend to the churches the sentiment of our Lord, 
that they that 'preach the Gospel must live of the 
Gospel. Parsimony, in this particular, has been a 
fruitful source of failure of success in the ministry. 
" The laborer is worthy of his reward." " The 
liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things 
shall he stand." 

But I hasten to a conclusion 

Brethren, there is much to encourage you in your 
work. The promise stands unrepealed, " Lo, I am 

WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE 

world." Be true to your trust, and you will enjoy 
the peace of God that passeth knowledge. You 
will live in the affections of the Church, and will 
die in her bosom. Your spiritual children will 
moisten the dust that covers you with their tears, 
and embalm, in affectionate remembrance, the coun- 
sels you have given them, while the lips which 
uttered them are silent in death. You will esta- 
blish a witness in the consciences of those who 
perish, that their ruin was not through your neglect. 
The churches to whom you break the sacramen- 



ADDRESS. 33 

tal bread, and whose offspring you consecrate with 
the sacramental water, will stand forth as the wit- 
nesses of your fidelity. And the Saviour whom 
you love, and serve, and honor, will at last address 
you in these glorifying expressions — " Come ye 
blessed of my Father, ye have been faithful over a 
few things, I will make you rulers over many things ; 
enter ye into the joys of your Lord." 

" This I say, brethren, the time is short." What 
you do you must do quickly. Your parishioners are 
dropping from between your hands, into the grave, 
some of them, perhaps, into hell. They will be 
taken from you, and soon — sooner than you are 
aware — you will be taken from them. My own 
ministry of fifty-eight years, if not sooner called 
home by Him that sent me, will probably terminate, 
by mutual consent, with the present year. A long 
ministry is short. I repeat it, therefore, emphati- 
cally, what ye do, ye must do quickly. 

" Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of 
good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace ; and 
the God of love and peace shall be with you." 
Amen. 



SKETCHES 



CHURCHES AND PASTOKS 



HAMPDEN COUNTY, MASS. 



HAMPDEN WEST ASSOCIATION. 



BLAUDFORD. 

This Church was organized in Hopkinton, in 
1735, by Rev. Thomas Prince, of the Old South 
Church, in Boston. Those who composed it were 
immigrants from the north of Ireland, and adopted 
the Presbyterian form of government ; it was nomi- 
nally a Presbyterian church till a. d. 1800, when 
it became Congregational. 

Rev. William McClenathen, a minister from 
Ireland, was installed in 1744, and continued about 
two years. After that he was chaplain in the army 
for a time ; he did not sustain the character of a 
good minister. 

85 



36 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Rev. James Morton, a minister from Ireland, was 
installed in August, 1747. The first two years of 
his ministry were quiet. After that the people began 
to complain, and their disaffection increased from 
year to year. They referred their difficulties to the 
Association for advice, at almost every meeting of 
that body, and had two or three councils. He 
finally dismissed, June 2, 1767. Dr. Bellamy 
Moderator of the council. He was a man of some 
talent, loose in his expressions, IO much so, that he 
often conveyed ideas which he did not intend. He 
was imprudent, and often gave occasion to others lo 
speak reproachfully. He continued to reside m 
Blandford till he died, October 1, 1793, aged 79 
years. 



I\i:v. JoSBPfl Patrick, of Warren, graduated at 
Vale, in 17(>7, and was ordained June 25, 1" 
Rev. Mr, Jones, of Warren, preached the sermon. 
The ordination was under a tree. The Pit - 
before Betting hun apart to the I min- 

istered a public admonition to him for riding from an 
adjacent town, on Sabbath evening, and 
those who preferred a eomplaint against him i< 
doing. He was dismissed the December follow 
and died in 17:sJ. The Church was destitute of a 
pastor fifteen years. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 37 

Rev. Joseph Badger was born in Wilbraham, 
and graduated at Yale, in 1785. He fitted for col- 
lege with Rev. Jeremiah Day, of New Preston, Ct., 
and was ordained October 24, 1787. He was, in 
many respects, a very remarkable man, had a relish 
for hard service, and was in it all his life. He was 
a soldier in the Revolution several years, and his 
education, when he left the army, was very limited ; 
he paid his own way through college, studied the- 
ology with Mr. Levenworth, of Waterbury, Ct. 
He was dismissed October 24, 1800, for the pur- 
pose of going to Ohio as a Missionary. In that 
new country, he was abundant in his labors, and 
endured many hardships. Sometimes he preached 
to white people, and sometimes labored among the 
Indians; and, in 1812, was chaplain in the army. 
An interesting history of his life, written by himself, 
may be found in the Quarterly Register, vol. xiii. p. 
317. He died in Wood County, Ohio, in 1846, 
aged 89 years. 

Rev. John Keep is a native of Longmeadow ; 
graduated at Yale, in 1802, studied theology with 
Mr. A. Hooker, of Goshen, Ct., and was ordained, 
Oct. 30, 1805. He was dismissed in 1821, at his 
own request ; was settled in Homer, N. Y., after- 
wards at Cleveland.. Ohio. He now resides in 
Oberlin, Ohio, without pastoral charge. 



38 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Rev. Dorus Clark is a native of Westhampton ; 
graduated at Williams' College in 1817, studied 
theology at Andover, and was ordained Feb. 5, 
1823. The sermon was preached by President 
Moore, of Amherst College. He was dismissed 
February 17, 1835, and installed pastor of the 
Second Church, in Chicopee. He was dismissed in 
1840, and connected with the religious press in 
Boston several years, and now resides on a farm in 
Waltham. 

Rev. Charles J. Hinsdale is a Dative of Newark, 
N. J., graduated at Yale, in 1815, studied theology 
at Andover and Princeton, spenl some time at the 
south, and was ordained at Bferiden, Conn., in 1823. 
He left Meriden, and came to Blandford, where he 
was installed, January 20, \^'-Uk 

The Church at Blandfbrd consists of 120 mem- 
bers. The population is diminishing, by emigration. 
Salary of pastor, $550, raised by subscription. 



C H E s r I i; . 

The Church was organized December 20, 1769. 
The town was then called Murraytield. 

Rev. Aaron Bascom was a native of Vv 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 39 

graduated at Harvard in 1768, and was ordained the 
day the Church was organized. The sermon was 
preached by Rev. Mr. Jones, of his native place. 
He married Theodotia Ashley, of Westfield, and 
had two sons, John and Reynolds, who graduated 
at Williams' College, and were preachers of the 
gospel. Mr. B. died May 18, 1814, aged 67; his 
funeral sermon, by Rev. J. Nash, of Middlefield, was 
published. He was a good man, earnest, and de- 
voted to his work. 

Rev. Samuel M. Emerson, son of Rev. John 
Emerson, of Conway, graduated at Williams' Col- 
lege in 1810, and was ordained February 1, 1815. 
He was preceptor of Westfield Academy for a time 
prior to his ordination. He was subject at times to 
great depression of spirits. He was dismissed De- 
cember 10, 1817, was settled afterwards at Man- 
chester, and then at Heath, where he died suddenly, 
of a disease of the heart, July 20, 1841, aged 55 
years. He was a good scholar, and a good man. 

Rev. Rufus Pomeroy was born in Southampton, 
in 1784, graduated at Williams' College, in 1808, 
studied theology with Rev. Dr. Packard, of Shel- 
burne, and was ordained at Salisbury, Vt., September 
15, 1811. He was dismissed November 19, 1816, 
and installed at Chester, November 20, 1819. He 



40 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

was dismissed June 27, 1827, and installed at Otis, 
in 1832, but was dismissed after a few years. He 
still resides in Otis. 

Rev. Saul Clark was a native of Southampton, 
graduated at Williams' College in 1805, was settled 
first at East Haven, in 1808, and continued there 
ten years. He was then for a few v< ars pastor of 
the Church in Baarkhamstead, dismissed, and installed 
at Chester, November 11, 1829. While then' he 
published a sermon on The Saints' Perseverance. 
He was dismissed about 1831, and becam< 
of the Church in Egremont, June 5, 1834. He con- 
tinued there a few years, was dismissed, and re- 
moved to East Haven, where he died in 1S49, 
aged 69 years. He was a man of full habit, inclin- 
ing to corpulency, and of ardent temperament. 

Rev. Alanson Akrons was not a graduate of 

any college ; he studied with Dr. Cox, of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., was ordained here November 19, 1834, 

and dismissed February 7, 1888. He preach, 
while in New Hampshire, ted supply, and 

then went to northern Illinois, where he remained 
till 1852, when he came to the east, and is now 
preaching in Vermont. 

After he left. Rev. S. W. Edfton v. rap- 

ply about three years, and did a i^ood service for the 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 41 

people, in securing by his labors the building of a 
new meeting-house. 

Rev. Francis Warriner, son of Solomon War- 
riner, of Springfield, graduated at Amherst in 1830, 
circumnavigated the globe in 1831-34, and pub- 
lished The Cruise of the Potomac, the name of the 
ship, in which he was teacher of the midshipmen. 
He studied theology at New Haven, was ordained 
October, 1841, and dismissed June 22, 1847. He 
is now at Waterford, Yt. 

Rev. David Breed, of New Haven, is not a gra- 
duate of college ; in 1848-9, he was superintendent 
of the boarding-school among the Choctaws, at Pine 
Ridge ; returned, studied theology at East Windsor, 
and was ordained February 17, 1853. This Church 
has 70 members. Salary, $400 with a parsonage. 



CHESTER FACTORIES. 

This is a village in Chester, on the Western Rail- 
road. The Church was organized November 13, 
1844, and consists at the present time of 31 mem- 
bers. It has never had a settled pastor. Rev. 
Hubbard Beebe preached there every other Sabbath 
for one year. Rev. P. K. Clark preached there 



42 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

half the time from 1846 to 1848. Then Rev. Dil- 
lon Williams preached all the time one year ; and 
since then, Rev. John C. Strong has preached there 
as a stated supply. 



CHESTEB ULLAGE, 

This was a village in tar, on the Western 

Railroad, hut has recently been annexed to the town 
of Norwich. The Church was <> : August 

20, 1M0, and has now 57 n For two years 

Mr. Chirk divided his labor BCD this Church 

and the one at On ies, until 1848, a 

which he preached at this [dace all the time until 
1852. 

Rev. Townssks Wixxxb, of Monterey, gradual 
at Williams 1 College in 1SW, 1 
Church in the State of New York, and I pted 

a call to become pastor of the Church in I 
Village, and is to be installed in December. 18 
The Church consists of mbers. The salary 

paid is $550. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 43 

EAST GRAXYILLE. 

The early records of this Church do not show 
when it was organized, though it is known to have 
been done in 1747. This town w T as first called 
Bedford. 

Rev. Moses Tuttle graduated at Yale, in 1745. 
and was ordained at the time the Church was organ- 
ized. The place of his nativity is not known ; but 
from the fact that he had a foreign brogue, it is 
thought he might have been a native of Scotland. 
He married a daughter of Rev. Timothy Edwards, 
of East Windsor, Ct., and sister of President Ed- 
wards. When he asked her father's consent to the 
marriage, he replied, " I shall consent so far as not 
to forbid it ; bat I can do no less than inform you 
that you cannot live with my daughter." " Why," 
said Mr. T., " is she not a Christian?" "I hope 
so," said Mr. E., "but grace may live where you 
cannot." 

He was dismissed in 1754, spent some time in 
New Jersey, returned to East Windsor, built a house 
in that part of it called Wapping, provided for his 
wife and four children as well as he could, left them 
there and preached at Southold, L. L, where he died 
in 1785, supposed to have been about 65 years old. 
He is said to have been an orthodox and godly man ; 



44 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

but his wife was a woman with whom he could not 
live, who seemed to delight in making him unhappy* 
Two of his children died in the poor-hen 

Rev. Jedediaii Smith may have been a native of 
Suffield, Ct.; it is not certain. lie graduated at 
Yale in 1750, and was ordained December, it 
Rev. Lemuel Elaynes, who listened to his preach 

i, u He was an evangelical preacher. I! 
to make at t i 1 1 1 liderable impression on mv 

mind ; he would \< ry earn* b1 ly call upon the youths 
to remember their Creator." He at length i 
braced StoddaidV of church-membership, and 

advocated the admission to full communion of those 
who gave no evidence oi Btkm. Many dm m- 

bers of the Church wen edly opposed to the 

doctrine. He was dismissed April 16, IT76. 11.- 
had eight sons and two daughters; and being op- 
(1 to the war of the Revolution, he accepted an 
oiler made him by Gen, Lyman, wb 
large tracts of land in M pi, and embarked at 

Middletown, Ct., forth*" Father of Wafc re;" A 
of Gen. Lyman was I to his 

daughter. While ascending the M pi, Mr. 

S. was seized with S fever ; in a fit of delirium 
leaped overboard, Wl from the water, but 

died soon after. His body was buried on the bank 
of the river, which the water gradually 






IX HAMPDEN COUNTY. 45 

and in a flood his body was borne from its resting- 
place, and no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto 
this day. He died September 2, 1776, aged 50 
years. 

Gen. Lyman and son proved faithless, and the 
widow and her children found themselves poor and 
friendless, in a new country. His descendants are 
now among the most respectable people of the State 
of Mississippi. Mr. S. was a man of no ecor.omy, and 
with a salary of £60 had to struggle with poverty. 
• 

Rev. Timothy M. Cooley was born in Granville, 
March 13, 1772. He graduated at Yale, in 1792. 
He was ordained February 3, 1796, in his native 
place, over a Church that had been destitute of a 
pastor 20 years. His father was one of his deacons. 
He received the degree of D. D. from Hamilton 
College. He preached his semi-centennial in 1845, 
his octogenarian in 1852. He writes his two 
sermons every week, and performs all pastoral 
duties. 

The number of members in this Church is 88. 
The society has a fund of about $4,500. The salary 
paid is 8500. 

In May 29, 1805, a Church was organized, con- 
sisting of 24 members, taken from the Granville 
Church ; two deacons were chosen. They removed 
to Ohio, and called the town where they located 



46 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

themselves Granville, which is now one of the most 
flourishing- towns in that State. 



WEST (, 1; ax villi:. 

Tins is the west parish of Granville; the people 
originally attended public worship atthe east parish. 

The Church v mix r 17, 1781. 

Rev. Lemuel Haynes, the colored preacher, 
brought up in this parish, and ; 
time after the 4 Chur< 

Rev. Ajlron J. B ion of Her, Bbenexer 

Booire. of Avon, Ct., graduated at Yale in 171 1. was 
ordamod at Canton, Ct., m 1776, and dismissed in 
1786. He was installed at this plw 
1786, The poople ref tie Mr. II 

among them on account of his color; though ■ mi- 
nority oi the Church were in favor of doing 
After hearing Air. Booge, I Mr. 1 

friends tauntingly inquired oi Mr. Boog 
"if that was white preaching? 91 The ministry of 
Air. 1). was not only unsuccessful, hut i 
the welfare of the Church. He was dismissed in 
July, 1?*W, and left the parish mueh divided. He 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 47 

removed to Stephentown, N. Y., and preached there 
for a time; in 1812 he was chaplain in the army; 
he was afterwards deposed from the ministry. He 
was drawn into many unjust and vexatious lawsuits, 
by the ill-will of his neighbors. He is said to have 
been entirely honest and upright in his dealings with 
men. 

While at Granville he preached without notes, 
made his preparations Sabbath morning, and devoted 
the week to secular pursuits. When death drew 
near, he gave directions about his coffin, selected 
his pall-bearers, and wrote a prayer to be read at 
his funeral. He selected a hymn to be sung, and 
wrote an inscription for his tomb-stone. He died 
June 22, 1826, in the 75th year of his age. 

Rev. Joel Baker was a native of Conway, gra- 
duated at Dartmouth in 1792, studied theology with 
Rev. Dr. Lyman, of Hatfield, and was ordained 
June 23, 1797. His sermons were evangelical, and 
his prayer was of such a character as made the 
assembly feel that God was near. He was exem- 
plary in his life, and a useful minister of Christ. 
He at length became old, though his strength had 
not much abated, and some of his parishioners met 
to ask the question, whether the time had not come, 
when the interests of religion required them to look 
out for a new minister. It was decided that it had, 



48 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

and a committee was sent to inform Mr. B. of the 
conclusion to which they had come, which was the 
first knowledge he had of any dis- lion. It 

was a severe blow. He immediate d a dis- 

missal ; his health soon failed, and he died Septem- 
ber 1, 1833, in the 66th year of his age. H< 
good man, though not an exact scholar, nor an i 
queul speaker. The people pursued the c< 
which thrv deemed best, though they n 
afterwards that they did not consider the delir 
of his feelings, and treat the subject in a manner 
that would havi ' to him more kind and 

nerous. lie married Miss Olive Cttltif 
Granville, by whom he had four sons, one of whom, 

Curl dusted at Willi 

in 1898, while a student 

During the ministry of M Church of 

members was organised, and w( 

Ohio. 

Ri i Chapin, of Mendon, grade 

Brown University, in 16 - s m< mix i 

lumbia Presbytery in eastern X. \ .. tnd installed at 
this place January 17, L883. }\> 
January 1, 1895, and went to \\\ nd. and 

died in Providence a tew years since. 

Ui:v. Henry Eddy was from Berlin. I .du- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 49 

ated at Yale in 1832, studied theology at New Ha- 
ven, and was ordained February 16, 1836. He was 
dismissed Sept. 25, 1839. After that, he was pastor 
of the Church in Stoughton for a time, has since 
preached in Maine, and at N. Guilford, Ct. He 
is now a physician, and resides in Bridgewater. 

Rev. Calvin Foote, from 1842 to 1847. (See 
South wick.) 

Rev. Henry B. Smith is a native of West- 
field, but his father removed to West Springfield, 
while he was still a child. He graduated at Am- 
herst College in 1843, studied theology at Andover, 
and was ordained July 22, 1847. He was dismissed 
November 4, 1851. He is now pastor of the Church 
in Abington, Ct., where he was installed January 
14, 1852. 

This Church has 74 members. The society has 
a fund, the income of which is between two and 
three hundred dollars. The salary paid is $400 



H0LY0KE. 

This is a new town ; it was formerly called Ire- 
land Parish, and belonged to West Springfield. The 

3 



50 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

First Church was organised Dec. 4, 1799, and con- 
sisted of nine male members. For many years the 
Baptists and Congregationalists occupied the same 
house alternately. The Comrregationalists had no 
settled pastor for many yea 

Rev. Hervey Smith, 1838-1840. (See Feeding 
Hills.) 

Rev. Gideon Dana graduated at Brown Unn 

sity in 1830, studied theology at Bangor, was set- 
tled at North Falmouth in 1838, and at Hoh 
February k Jl, 1841. He y 7, 

1844, and is now pastor of a church in Ohio. 

Rev. SlMSOM Mil a native of laid. 

graduated at Amherst m 1840, studied theology at 
Andover, and w iy 7, 1846. 

The muni' - in this Church is 60. 

r i ne salary paid hitfa - been $400. 



BEC01 I> C H I C H. 

This is in the Tillage near t: I across 

the Connecticut ri\ South Hadley Falls, and 

was organised May 24, 1840. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 51 

Rev. Asa C. Pierce, a native of Hinsdale, 
graduated at Amherst in 1843, studied theology at 
East Windsor, and was ordained Sept 20, 1849. 
The settlement of a pastor proved to be rather 
premature ; the manufacturing business of the vil- 
lage did not increase. Mr. Pierce resigned, and 
was dismissed June 9, 1851. He is now pastor of 
the Church in Northford, Ct. 

Rev. Richard Knight is a native of England, 
where he was educated, and came to this country 
three years ago. He was installed April 20, 1853. 
The Society have now a commodious house of wor- 
ship, and, though the Church is still small, their pros- 
pects for the future are encouraging. 



MONTGOMERY. 

The Church was organized January 30, 1797, 
and consisted of nine persons. October 29, of the 
same year, the Lord's Supper was administered, for 
the first time, to fourteen communicants. 

Rev. Seth Noble, son of Thomas Noble, of 
Westfield, was the first pastor. He did not receive 
a collegiate education. He preached several years at 



52 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Kenduskeag, Me., about the close of the Revolution- 
ary War. He was a good singer ; Bangor was his fa- 
vorite tune. The people of Kenduskeag sent him to 
Boston with a petition for an act of incorporation of 
the town, which they proposed to call Sunfiekl. Mr. 
N., before presenting the petition to the L gislature, 
erased Suniield, and inserted Bangor, for which it is 
presumed the inhabitants of that flourishing city 
will hold his memo] dear. He preached as 

stated supply for a time in N. II., and w 
here November 4, 1801, and dismissed September 
16, 1806; removed to Ohio, where bed 
ber 15, l^o?. and was buried in ■ village over the 
nvcr, against Columbus, as a 

man of great activity, and i good sermon. 

Rev. John II. Fowura graduated at Yale in 

1790, studied law, and H in the duti< a 

that profession several years. He studied theol 

was settled at Exeter, Ct., m 1818, and din 

1821. He was installed at Montgomery, November 
13, 1822^ and died March IS, IE 5 - ars. 

His son John was pastor oi a church in Utica, 
N. Y., but is now a law\ 

Key. Solomon \Y. Epson was born in Wilbrft- 
ham, but his father removed while he was young 
the State oi Maine. He was educated at ; 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 53 

in part. When Prof. Smith died, he went to New 
Haven, and spent a year. He was ordained in Oct. 
1832, and dismissed June 22, 1836. He afterwards 
preached as stated supply at Chester ; has been 
since pastor at Jamestown, N. Y. In consequence 
of a throat difficulty, he has been obliged to relin- 
quish preaching, and now resides on a farm in West- 
field, and is the publisher of this volume. 

Rev. Caleb Knight was born in Lisbon, Ct., 
graduated at Williams' College in 1800, studied 
theology with Dr. Backus, of Somers, Ct., was set- 
tled at Hinsdale April 28, 1802, dismissed April 9, 
1816, preached a few years at Franklin, N. Y., was 
installed at Washington, December 13, 1826 ; dis- 
missed, and installed at Montgomery, June 22, 1836, 
and dismissed May 22, 1839. He now resides with 
his son in Hatfield. 

This is a small town. The Church consists of 24 
members. They have a neat little meeting-house, 
and raise $100 per annum for preaching ; the Mis- 
sionary Society gives them another hundred, with 
which they employ a minister half the time. The 
Methodists have also a neat little house, on the op- 
posite side of the street, and have preaching half the 
time. Both societies worship together, in one house 
on one Sabbath, and in the other on the next. 



54 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

RUSSEL. 

This is a small, mountainous town, having a 
sparse population, A Congregational Church 

oized here, by \l< ph Badger, of 131 ami ford, 

November l, l v »><>. ting of 15 members. It 

never had a settled pastor. The Homo Missionary 
Society of the county expended $50 ■ year from 
1 820 to \t thai time, in connection with that 

little Church, one was brought forward, who has 
done good service onary — I 

Clarissa C. Armstrong, of the Sandwich Islands, 
and sister of Reuben ( ,; 

The Church is now i 



OUTO I( K. 

'Tins town was originally a part Westfield, 

distinct Church v 

Rev, Albsl Forw i t. t a coi 

oi Rev. Justus Forward, Ichertown, grade 

at Vale in 1768, and 

He was a faithful minister and a j He 

died January 15, L786, 

sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. r, of 

Westfield ; text, Luke nriii. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 55 

Rev. Isaac Clinton graduated at Yale in 1786, 
and was ordained January 30, 1788. He was a 
man of talent. He published a treatise on Baptism, 
which is a w T ork of considerable merit ; it went 
through two editions. He had one talent which few 
ministers have — that of laying up money — though 
his salary was small. In 1803 the dysentery pre- 
vailed in Southwick as an epidemic, and most of his 
family died in a single week. He w r as dismissed 
December 2, 1807, and removed to Lowville, N. Y.; 
was principal of an academy, and often preached on 
the Sabbath. There he died, March 18, 1841, aged 
82 years. 

Rev. Dudley D. Rossiter, a native of Stoning- 
ton, Ct., graduated at Middlebury College in 1813, 
and was ordained in January, 1816. He preached 
but one Sabbath after his ordination, on account of 
a sudden failure of his health. He was dismissed 
March 25, 1817, and afterwards engaged in mercan- 
tile business in Boston. 

Rev. Calvin Foote w r as born in Colchester, Ct., 
and graduated at Middlebury in 1814. He taught 
school in Philadelphia, connected himself with pres- 
bytery, studied theology with Rev. Ezra S. Ely, 
D.D., and was ordained at Southwick, February 2, 
1820. His ordination sermon by Dr. Ely, of Mon- 



56 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

son, was published. He was dismissed May 26, 
1 830. During his ministry, the old meeting-house, 
that stood half a mile south of the village, was 
burned. A new one was erected in the village, and 
dedicated in December, 1824. The people in the 
south part of the town being dissatisfied with the 
location of the new house, withdrew, and built ano- 
ther house further south ; but, being unable to sus- 
tain preaching the house has been occupied by the 
Methodii 

Mr. F. was installed pastor of a new Church in 
East Longmeadow, April 15, 1881, and dismii 
July 8, 1835. From 1836 to 1889 h r of 

the Church in Feeding Hills; and from 
1847, of the Church in West Granville, He is now 
an agenl of the American Tract Society, and resides 
in Poughkeepsie, N, V. 

Rev. ElbRIDGI G, Howe is a native of Paxton, 
graduated at Brown University in 1821. He went 
west as a missionary several years, retun 
installed at Southwick, February 26, 1831, and dis- 
missed May 23, 1882. He was settled at Halifax, 
in Norfolk county, the same vear ; gain dis- 

missed, and is now laboring in Illinois 

Rev. Thomas Fletcher, a native of New Ips- 
wich, N. H., was fitted to enter the sophomore class 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 57 

in college, when his father died, which rendered it 
necessary that he should remain at home. He in- 
vested what property he had in manufacturing, and 
at the close of the war with Great Britain, the com- 
pany failed. He taught school the following winter 
in Greenbush, N. Y., and, on leaving to return home 
in the spring, he said to the man with whom he 
boarded, " If you hear of any place where I can 
teach through the summer, let me know it." On 
the making of this request, the remainder of his 
life turned. The man wrote him very soon, that a 
teacher was wanted at the academy in Kinderhook. 
He immediately w^ent there ; and, as there was no 
meeting-house in that village, the people requested 
him to conduct religious worship in the academy on 
the Sabbath, and read to them a sermon. He did 
so ; a revival of religion commenced at that point, 
which spread into the neighboring towns, and result- 
ed in the conversion of 1000 souls. Dr. Livingston 
and other clergymen urged him to prepare for the 
ministry. He studied with Dr. L.; was settled for 
a few years in North East, N. Y., after which he 
preached as stated supply in the south parish of 
New Marlborough. He was installed at South- 
wick, February 7, 1838; dismissed October 21, 
1845, having preached there in all ten years. The 
two sermons he preached on the Sabbath that con- 
cluded his labors were published. His health was 

3* 



58 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

poor when dismissed ; it continued to fail, and he 
died at Southwick, December 4, 1846, aged 58 
years. Soon after he commenced preaching, the 
honorary degree of A. M. was conferred upon him 
by Middlebury College. 

Rev. Henry Cooley, a native of Blandford, but 
brought up in West Springfield, did not receive a 
collegiate education. The honorary degree of A. M. 
was conferred upon him at Williams' College. He 
spent about two years with a private instructor, and 
four years m the theological seminary at New Ha- 
ven. He was ordained December 2, 1846, and dis- 
missed at his own request, January 31, 1S53. 

The Church in Southwick has 98 members, a 
fund of $1000, and pays a salary of $500, 



T L L A X D . 

The Church was organized in 1797. This town 
was originally the west parish of Granville, and that 
which is now the west parish was called Middle 
Granville. 

Rev. Roger Harrison was born in Branford, Ct., 
graduated at Yale in 1792, and was ordained Janu- 
ary 23, 1798. He was dismissed February 18, 
1822, and continued in the place until his death, 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 59 

which occurred August 31, 1853, aged 84 years. 
He was twice married, and has left one son. He 
represented the town two or three years in the Ge- 
neral Court. Mr. H. was a fine singer ; Dr. Cooley 
says that many years ago Mr. H. spent a night at 
his house, and at family devotion sung the Judgment 
Anthem with such thrilling effect, that one of his 
students sprung from his chair, rushed at the singer, 
and was entirely bewildered for several hours. Rev. 
Gordon Hall, the distinguished missionary, was a 
native of Tolland, made a profession of religion 
while Mr. H. was pastor, and commenced with him 
his preparation for college. 

This Church for 25 years after Mr. Harrison's 
dismission depended on stated supplies 

Rev. Alonzo Sanderson, a native of Whateley, 
graduated at Amherst in 1834, studied theology at 
Andover, performed a missionary tour in Canada, 
and was settled at Ludlow from 1839 to 1843 ; was 
installed at Tolland, July 12, 1843, and dismissed 
May 5, 1852. He is now pastor of a Church in 
Ohio. 

Rev. Franklin D. Austin was born in Becket, 
graduated at Union, studied theology at Auburn, and 
was ordained June 28, 1853. 

The number of members in the Church is 99, and 
the salary paid is $425. 



60 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTOR3 

WESTFIELD. 

Mr. John Holyoke, of Springfield, preached here 
six months in 1667; Mr. Moses Fiske, who was af- 
terwards settled in Quincy, preached here from 1668 
to 1671. The Church was organized August 27, 
1679. 

Rev. Edward Taylor was the first pastor ; he 
was born at Sketelby, in Leicestershire, Eng., and 
received his academic education in his native coun- 
try, came to America in 1668, and graduated at 
Harvard in 1671. He commenced preaching in this 
town in the autumn of that year. His settlement, 
and the organization of the Church, were delayed 
some years in consequence of the unsettled state of 
the country, produced by the movements of Philip 
of Mount Hope. Mr. T. was ordained the day the 
Church was organized, and, as was the custom, 
preached his own ordination sermon. He was Cal- 
vinistic in doctrine, a man of sincere piety, and ex- 
emplary in his behaviour. He had some knowledge 
of medicine, and ministered to diseases of the body 
as well as to the soul. He was twice married ; 
first, to Elizabeth Fitch, of Norwich, Ct., and 
second, to Ruth Wyllis, of Hartford, Ct. Three of 
his daughters were married to ministers ; Anna was 
the wife of Rev. Benjamin Lord, D. D., of Norwich, 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 61 

Ct.; Naomi of Rev. Ebenezer Devotion, of Suffield, 
Ct., and Keziah of Rev. Isaac Stiles, of North Ha- 
ven, Ct., and the mother of President Stiles. Some 
of the land owned by Mr. T. is still in the hands of 
his descendants, not one of whom is known ever to 
have been guilty of any criminal offence, or to have 
been a bad member ol society. Mr. T. had a se- 
vere fit of sickness in 1721, from which he never 
fully recovered. He died June 24, 1729, aged 87 
years. 

Rev. Nehemiah Bull was a native of Long Isl- 
and, graduated at Yale in 1723, and was ordained 
colleague pastor October 26, 1726. He married Miss 
Elizabeth Partridge, of Hatfield. He was a man 
of respectable talents, rather excitable, and incurred 
the displeasure of some of the people. The opposi- 
tion did not become very formidable before he sick- 
ened and died, April 12, 1740, aged 39 years. After 
his death, his wife and children removed to Sheffield, 
where his eldest son was an eminent physician. 

Rev. John Ballantine w T as born in Boston ; his 
ancestors were from Scotland. He graduated at 
Harvard, in 1735, and was ordained June 17, 1741. 
His mother was a descendant of Governor Win- 
throp. He married Mary Gay, of Dedham, sister 
of Dr. Gay, of Suffield, Ct. He had four sons and 



62 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

two daughters. Three of his sons received a col- 
legiate education, one of whom, William Gay, was 
the first pastor of the Church in Washington. His 
son Ebenezer was a physician, and was the father 
of Rev. Henry B., now missionary to India, and of 
Rev. Elisha B., D.D., Prof, of Union Theological 
Seminary, in Va., and afterwards pastor of a Church 
in the city of Washington. Mr. B. died February 
12, 1776, aged 60 years. 

Rev. Noah Atwater, of New Haven, graduated 
at Yale College in 1774, and was tutor there three 
years. He was ordained Nov. 21, 1781, and died 
January 26, 1802, aged 50 years. His death was 
the result of a diseased limb, occasioned by bathing 
daily in cold spring water. His funeral sermon was 
preached by Dr. Lathrop, in which he says, " He 
was blessed with superior abilities, a clear under- 
standing, a capacious mind, and a solid judgment.'' 
He was very systematic in all he did, never preached 
the same sermon twice — always kept several ser- 
mons on hand which he had never preached, and 
prepared his sermon for the ensuing Sabbath early 
in the week. He always rose before the sun, even 
in summer. He was a man of considerable science, 
kept a rain-guage and thermometer, and received 
a premium for an Essay on the Canker Worm, in 
1793. He was twice married ; first to Mrs. Rachel 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 63 

Mather, of Northampton, and second, to Mrs. Anna 
Rockwood, of Milford, Ct. He had one son, Wil- 
liam, who graduated at Yale College, and was a 
distinguished physician in his native town. The 
last sermon preached by Mr. Atwater was his twen- 
tieth anniversary sermon, which was published. 

Rev. Isaac Knapp was born in Norfolk, Ct., and 
graduated at Williams' College in 1800, where he 
was tutor one year. He studied theology with Rev. 
Dr. Backus, of Somers, Ct., and read to the congre- 
gation there the last sermon that Dr. B. wrote, " On 
the fear of God," the writer being unable to go out. 
He was a man of uncommon prudence, of great 
kindness of disposition, conservative, sound in faith, 
and lived agreeable to his profession. He was 
ordained November 16, 1803. His health became 
impaired, so that he preached but little after 1835. 
He died July 6, 1847, aged 73 years. He published 
a sermon preached before the Hampshire Missionary 
Society, and one on the death of General William 
Shepard. He was thrice married ; first, to Jerusha 
Ellsworth, of Ellington, Ct. ; second, to Clarissa 
Hale ; and third, to Mrs. D. Nichols. Two sons 
survive. 

Rev. Emerson Davis was born in Ware, July 
15, 1798, and graduated at Williams' College in 



64 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTOItS 

1821. He was tutor there one year, preceptor of 
Westfield Academy fourteen years, studied theology 
with Dr. Griffin, at Williamstown, and was ordained 
colleague pastor June 1, 1836. He received the 
degree of D.D. from Harvard, in 1847. 

The Church in Westfield consisted of seven mem- 
bers at its organization, and has now 425. The 
salary paid is $1000. The Society has a fund of 
$5500, and raise $1500 annually by renting their 



WEST SPRINGFIELD. 

The Church was organized June, 1698. This 
town was at first a part of Springfield, and the 
people attended public worship on the east side of 
the river 

Rev. John Woodbridge was son of Rev. John 
W., of Killingworth, Ct., and graduated at Har- 
vard in 1664. He was ordained the day the 
Church was organized. He married a daughter of 
Rev. Joseph Elliot, of Guilford, Ct., by whom he 
had six sons and two daughters. His son John was 
pastor of the Church in South Hadley. He died 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 65 

June 10, 1718, aged 40 years. Dr. Williams, of 
Longmeadow, after his death, said, " I look upon 
this as a great frown upon us all in this town, and 
in this part of the country ; for he was a man of 
great learning, of pleasant conversation, of a very 
tender spirit, very apt to communicate, one that had 
an excellent gift in giving advice and counsel, and so 
must certainly be very much missed among us." 

Rev. Samuel Hopkins was born in Waterbury, 
Ct., graduated at Yale in 1718, and was ordained in 
1720. He was an uncle of the celebrated Dr. Hop- 
kins, of Great Barrington and Newport, R. I. His 
wife was a sister of President Edwards, of North- 
ampton. They had four children, one of whom was 
Rev. Dr. Hopkins, of Hadley. He wrote fifteen 
hundred sermons during a ministry of 35 years. In 
1753 he published a volume relating to the House- 
tunnac Indians, and the mission among them. His 
salary was £100. He died October 6, 1755, aged 
61 years. 

Rev. Joseph Lathrop was a descendant of Rev. 
John L., the first minister of Barnstable. He was 
born in Norwich, Ct. His father died when he was 
two years old. His mother married again, and 
resided in Bolton, Ct., where he spent his youth. 
He graduated at Yale in 1754, studied theology 



66 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

with Rev. Mr. Breck, of Springfield, who preached 
his ordination sermon, August 25, 1756. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Dwight, of Hatfield. They had six 
children. In 1791 the degree of D.D. was conferred 
upon him by Dartmouth College, and in 1S11 by 
Harvard. In 1793 he was offered the Professorship 
of Divinity at Yale, which he declined. He wrote 
5000 sermons in 65 years. Seven 8vo. volumes of 
his sermons were published, besides a very great 
number of occasional sermons. He died December 
30, 1720, aged 89 years. 

Rev. William B. Sprague is a native of Andover, 
Ct., graduated at Yale in 1815, studied theology at 
Princeton, and was ordained colleague pastor of Dr. 
L. August 25, 1819. He has published already 
more single sermons and volumes than his predeces- 
sor. He married, first, a daughter of General 
Eaton, of Brimfield ; his second and third wives 
were grand-daughters of Dr. Lathrop. He was dis- 
missed in 1829, to become pastor of the First Pres- 
byterian Church in Albany. He has received the 
degree of D.D. from Columbia College, and also 
from Harvard. 

Rev. Thomas E. Yermilye was born in the city 
of New York, went through the whole course of 
study at Yale College, but did not graduate. He 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 67 

was ordained May 26, 1830, and was dismissed in 
1835, to become pastor of a Dutch Reformed 
Church in Albany. In 1838 he received the degree 
of D.D. from Rutgers' College. He is now one 
of the pastors of the Associate Dutch Reformed 
Churches in New York. 

Rev. John Hunter was born in New York, and 
did not graduate at any college ; was installed Aug. 
25, 1835, and dismissed March 28, 1837. He had 
been a pastor previously, having been ordained Dec. 
1828, and was settled at Bridgeport from 1839 to 
1845. 

Rev. A. Augustus Wood was from Leominster, 
graduated at Amherst, in 1831, studied theology 
at Andover and at New Haven, was ordained 
December 19, 1839, and dismissed, at his own 
request, August 28, 1849, to become pastor of Pearl 
Street Church, New York. 



Rev. Henry M. Field, son of Rev. Dr. Field, of 
Stockbridge, graduated at Williams' College in 
1838, studied theology at New Haven, and was 
pastor of a Presbyterian Church in St. Louis a few 
years, and installed pastor of this Church January 
30, 1851. 



68 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

This parish has a fund of about $5000, and pays 
a salary of $900. In the Church there are 246 
members. 

There is also a fund held by Trustees be onging 
to this Society, called the Ashley Fund, the income 
of which is $200 annually, and is paid to feeble 
churches in the bounds of West Springfield. In 
case any of these churches cease to need it, it is to 
be appropriated to the aid of such churches else- 
where. 



FEEDING HILLS, WEST SPRIXGFIELD. 

This is the Second Church in West Springfield. 
It was organized November 10, 1762, and, at that 
time, included Agawam ; the meeting-house was 
between the two villages. 

Rev. Silvanus Griswold, son of Rev. George 
G., of Lyme, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1757, and 
was ordained one week after the organization of the 
Church. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Dorr, of Hartford. 
He continued minister of the parish till 17S1, and 
pastor of the Church till his death, December 4, 
1819, aged 87 years. Previous to his settlement, a 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 69 

Baptist minister gathered a small church in that 
part of the town, and went away. The members 
attended Mr. Griswold's meeting, and contributed 
to his support for a time. The Baptist minister 
returned after a few years, and called together his 
scattered flock. The burden of Mr. G.'s support 
being greater than the people were willing to bear, 
he gave up his claim to salary, and they theirs to 
his services. After that he seldom preached, though 
he performed some parochial duties. The Church 
and Society were in a sad condition for about forty 
years. 

In college Mr. G. was a good scholar, and a pat- 
tern of piety. He sustained the character of a 
good man through life. As a speaker, he was dull 
and uninteresting. He died in peace, and in hope 
of a glorious immortality. 

Rev. Reuben S. Hazen was a native of West 
Springfield, or came there in his childhood, gradu- 
ated at Yale in 1818, was ordained pastor of the 
Church at Feeding Hills and Agawam, October 
17, 1821, and preached at each place on alternate 
Sabbaths. In 1830 he became pastor of the Church 
at Agawam, and relinquished his charge of this 
Church. He was dismissed from Agawam in 1843, 
settled at Barkhamstead for a time, and is now pastor 
of the Congregational Church in Westminster, Ct. 



70 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Rev. Hervey Smith was born in Granby, gradu- 
ated at Williams' College in 1818, was pastor of the 
Church in East Stafford, Ct., from 1822 to 1830, 
w^hen he was installed at Feeding Hills. He relin- 
quished his charge of this Church in 1833, and be- 
came pastor of the First Church in Holyoke. Here 
his health failed; he was dismissed in 1840; since 
then he has preached only occasionally. He resides 
in East Hampton. 

Rev. Horatio J. Lombard, of Springfield, gra- 
duated at Williams' College in 1815, was settled at 
Oswego, N. Y., and installed here in 1834. He was 
dismissed the next year, has since been settled at 
Northfield, but now resides in Springfield. 

Rev. Calvin Foote from 1836 to 1839. (See 
Southwick.) 

Rev. Dillon Williams, of Colchester, Ct., gra- 
duated at Yale in 1836, studied theology at New 
Haven, and was ordained June 30, 1851. He was 
dismissed May 19, 1848, preached a year at Chester 
Factories, and since then has been preaching at 
Bridgewater, Ct. 

Rev. Stephen D. Ward, of New Jersey, gra- 
duated at Nassau Hall in 1S19, studied theology at 
New Haven, has been a pastor in New Jersey, and 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 71 

was settled at Machias, Me., from 1834 to 1844. 
He was installed at Feeding Hills, October 18, 
1853. 

This Church has 85 members, pays $325 salary, 
and gives the pastor the use of the parsonage. He 
receives also $100 from the Ashley fund. 



AG AW AM, WEST SPRINGFIELD. 

This is the Third Church in West Springfield, 
and was organized September 1, 1819 

Rev. Reuben S. Hazen from 1821 to 1843. 
(See Feeding Hills.) 

Rev. Ralph Perry, of Hebron, Ct., graduated 
at Illinois College in 1838, studied theology at New 
Haven, and was ordained January 3, 1844. In 
1846 he was dismissed, in consequence of ill health, 
travelled a year as an agent for the Western Col- 
lege Society, regained his health, and was reinstalled 
December 28, 1847. 

This Church has 118 members ; the parish has a 
fund of $4300, given by Capt. Allen. Salary $600. 



72 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 



METTINEAGUE, WEST SPRINGFIELD. 

This is the Fourth Church in West Springfield, 
and was organized January 10, 1850, has 40 mem- 
bers, and pays a salary of $500. 

Rev. Henry Cooley was ordained February 24, 
1853. (See Southwick.) 



CHURCHES IN HAMPDEN EAST, 



B R I M F I E L D . 

The records of this Church were burned with the 
house of the pastor in 174S; so that the precise 
date of the organization of the Church is not known ; 
it was organized sometime in the year 1725. 

Rev. Richard Treat, of Glastenbury, Ct., gradu- 
ated at Yale in 1719, and was ordained the day the 
Church was organized. A difficulty arose between 
him and his people in 1733. and a council was 
called ; the nature of the difficulty, in the absence 
of all records, is not known. He was dismissed 
soon after, March 27, 1734. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 73 

Rev. James Bridgham, of Boston, graduated at 
Harvard in 1726, was ordained June 9, 1736, and 
continued pastor of the Church till he died, Septem- 
ber 7, 1779, aged 69 years. " He is said to have 
been a man of respectable talents, and to have per- 
formed the duties of his office to general accept- 
ance.*' He was an evangelical preacher, and was 
much respected by the people. He suffered so 
much from bodily infirmity, some of the last years 
of his life, that he was unable to perform the duties 
of his office. 

Rev. Nehemiah Williams, son of Rev. Chester 
Williams, of Hadley, graduated at Harvard in 1769, 
and was ordained February 9, 1775. He died in 
the midst of his days and usefulness, November 26, 
1796, in the 48th year of his age. He is affection- 
ately remembered by the old people of the town ; 
he had their confidence, and a good degree of har- 
mony prevailed. He was a very acceptable preach- 
er. A volume of his sermons was published after 
his decease. — Dr. VaiVs Sermon. 

Rev. Clark Brown was not a graduate of any 
college ; he received the degree of A. M. at Yale in 
1794, and at three other colleges prior to 1799. He 
was ordained at Boston, October 7, 1795, as pastor 
of the Church in Machias, Me. He was then an 

4 



74 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AXD PASTORS 

avowed Arminian. At Machias he reformed the 
articles of faith, abrogating the doctrine of the Tri- 
nity and total depravity, and admitting persons to 
the communion without any evidence of regenera- 
tion. About half the Church refused to unite with 
it in the new form, and they were suspended from 
its privileges. He was dismissed November 3, 
1797, and installed at Brimfield, June 20, 1798. 
His stay here was short, and the time of his conti- 
nuance stormy. He preached the same doctrines 
he did in Me.; some were for him, but more against 
him. He was dismissed November 2, 1803. He is 
said to have been a man of gifts and of uncommon 
fluency, but not distinguished for patience or pru- 
dence. He died in Maryland, January 12, 1817. 

Rev. Warren Fay, of North borough, graduated 
at Harvard in 1807, and was ordained August 17, 
1808. He was dismissed at his own request, June 
26, 1811 ; settled at Harvard in 1814, was dismissed 
in consequence of receiving a call from the Church 
in Charlestown in 1S20. In 1839 the fellowship of 
the churches was withdrawn from him, and he has 
since lived upon a farm in Northboro'. He received 
the degree of D.D. from Dartmouth in 1829. 

Rev. Joseph Vaill, of East Haddam, Ct., gra- 
duated at Yale in 1811, was ordained February 0, 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 75 

1814; dismissed September 6, 1834, to accept a 
call from Portland, Me., where he was pastor three 
years, and was then reinstalled at Brimfield, Novem- 
ber 1, 1837. He was dismissed in 1841, to engage 
in an agency for Amherst College ; which having 
finished, he was installed at Somers, Ct., August 6, 
1845. He received the degree of D.D. from Am- 
herst. 

Rev. Joseph Fuller, of Vershire, Vt., graduated 
at Middlebury in 1827, studied theology at Ando- 
ver, and was ordained at Kennebunk, Me., Septem- 
ber 29, 1830, and dismissed July 16, 1834. He was 
installed here March 11, 1835, and dismissed June 
7, 1837. 

Rev. George C. Partridge, of Hatfield, gra- 
duated at Amherst in 1833, and was tutor there 
from 1836 to 1838. He was installed at B., Febru- 
ary 9, 1842, dismissed in 1846, and settled at Green- 
field, April 18, 1848, where he still remains. 

Rev. Jason Morse, of Sturbridge, graduated at 
Amherst in 1845, and was ordained at Brimfield, 
December 2, 1849. He has been twice married to 
daughters of Theodore Parsons, of Southampton. 
The number of members in this Church is 204, and 
the salary paid is $600. 



76 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

CHICOPEE. 

First Church. Chicopee was a part of Spring- 
field till the year 1848, when it was set off, and is 
now a town incorporation. This Church was organ- 
ized September 9, 1752. 

Rev. John McKinstry was the first pastor of 
the Church in Chicopee. He was the son of Rev. 
John McKinstry, of Ellington, Ct., who was a native 
of Scotland, and graduated at the University of 
Edinburg in 1712. He was sent out as a mission- 
ary to the settlements in New England, and was 
first settled in Sutton, Mass., where he remained 
about eight years. From thence he removed to El- 
lington, Ct., where he continued till his death. It 
was during his ministry in the latter place that John, 
who was subsequently settled in Chicopee, was 
born, in the year 1723. 

John McKinstry junior was educated at Yale 
College, and graduated in the year 1746. Soon af- 
ter he was licensed he was invited to Chicopee, to 
preach as a candidate for settlement ; and after 
preaching a few months, he received and accepted 
a call to settle, and accordingly was ordained on the 
27th of September, 1752. 

On the 7th of June previous, the parish voted that 
the ordination should take place on the 9th of Sep- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 77 

tember, 1752. On the 7th of June previous, the pa- 
rish voted that the ordination should take place on 
the 9th of September ; but by act of the British 
Parliament the Style was changed from the Old to 
the New in that month, so that the third day was 
called the 14th, there being a leap from the 2d to 
the 14th ; so there was no 9th of September in 1752. 

It also appears from the diary of Rev. Jonathan 
Judd, of Southampton, that he attended the ordina- 
tion of Mr. McKinstry on the 27th of September, 
1752. Thus, it appears conclusive that the day of 
Mr. McKinstry's settlement was the 27th of Septem- 
ber, 1752, in the 29th year of his age. His salary 
was £62 13s. 4d., together with a settlement of 
£80. 

There he labored for 37 years, when the failure 
of his voice, together with difficulties in the parish, 
induced him to relinquish preaching ; but he conti- 
nued to conduct religious worship on the Sabbath, 
and perform other pastoral duties, and continued to 
receive a portion of his salary till his death, which 
occurred November 9, 1813, having nearly completed 
his 90th year. 

Dr. Lathrop, of West Springfield, preached his 
funeral sermon, from Gen. xxv. 8 : " Then Abraham 
gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an 
old man and full of years." 

Of him the Doctor thus speaks : 



78 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

" Mr. McKinstry was a man of good' natural 
talents, a respectable scholar, and a sound divine. 
His preaching, though it suffered some disadvantage 
from the feebleness of his delivery, was yet edifying 
to his stated hearers. He was a man of exemplary 
piety, of a candid spirit, of a modest, humble dispo- 
sition, of great resignation under trials, of steady 
unwavering patience under long-continued infirmi- 
ties, and of Christian fortitude and hope in view of 
approaching dissolution." 

Mr. McKinstry married Miss Eunice Smith, of 
Suffield, Ct., with whom he lived fifty-four years, 
and by whom he had eight children, six of whom, 
with their mother, survived his death. 

With the exception of two sons, none of his chil- 
dren were ever married. None of his sons received 
a liberal education ; one however entered the medi- 
cal profession, became a practitioner in his native 
place under flattering prospects, but died young. 
Only four of the children made a profession of reli- 
gion, but they were all virtuous and worthy citizens. 

One daughter, by reason of strength continues to 
the present time ; being in destitute circumstances, 
she receives her support from the Congregational 
Charitable Society. 

Rev. Alexander Phoenix was the son of a 

wealthy merchant in New York. Having completed 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 79 

his collegiate education, at Columbia College, 1795, 
" he devoted his attention to the legal profession. 
After st time he laid aside his law books and engaged 
in the mercantile business ; but in this he was un- 
successful, and domestic afflictions pressing so hea- 
vily upon him that his way seemed to be hedged up 
on every side, he was led at last, like Saul of Tar- 
sus, to inquire 'what the Lord would have him 
do v " 

Though late in life, his mind was directed to the 
study of theology, that he might prepare himself to 
build up some one of the waste places in Zion. He 
became a preacher, and was led, in the providence 
of God, to Chicopee, and was convinced that he 
had found the waste place in which he was to labor. 
On the 28th of April, 1824, Mr. Phoenix was or- 
dained and installed pastor of this Church, which on 
that memorable day received indeed an ascension 
gift. This was the dawn of brighter days. Five 
years passed away, and then, in 1831, this Church 
was greatly blessed by the outpouring of God's spi- 
rit. A large portion of the adults came out on the 
Lord's side, and a great moral change was visible in 
the whole aspect of society. There were about 40 
additions made as the fruits of that revival, and dur- 
ing the whole of Mr. Phoenix's ministry of 1 1 years 
there were about 76 members added to the Church. 

A great debt of gratitude is due to Mr. Phoenix 



80 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

from this people, for his faithful and self-denying 
labors here ; for he received but a nominal salary. 
Being a man of wealth, he lived mostly from his 
own private means, while the Church and parish 
gained strength every year. When he came, though 
the Church was receiving missionary aid, it could 
support preaching only a quarter or half the time. 
But with their new pastor was added strength ; the 
meeting-house was built, and the debt paid ; foreign 
aid to support the gospel was no longer needed, and 
the various causes of benevolence have received an- 
nually the contributions of this Church and people. 
Mr. P. left when he felt that duty called him away ; 
but still, in the evening of his days, he looks back 
upon those 11 years of his pastorate here as the 
happiest and most useful portion of his life. He had 
been the means of raising this Church to a self-sus- 
taining state, and had thus prepared the way for 
another pastor, and resigned the charge. Mr. Phoe- 
nix now resides in the city of New Haven, Ct. 

Rev. Ebenezer B. Wright. (See Ludlow.) 

Rev. Eli B. Clark> of Waterbury, Ct., gradu- 
ated at Yale College in 1837, and received his theo- 
logical education at New Haven. He was ordained 
October, 1839, and still remains the pastor of this 
Church ; while, during the period since his ordina- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 81 

tion, almost all the other Churches in the Associa- 
tion have changed their pastors, and many of them 
more than once. The number of members in this 
Church is 89, and in the Sunday-school 75. The 
Society pays a salary of $600. 

The Second Church was organized at Chicopee 
Falls, July 3, 1830. 

Rev. Dorus Clark. (See Blandford.) 

Rev. Ebenezer P. Rogers, of Fairfield, Ct., 
studied theology with Rev. Dr. Hanes, of Hartford. 
After his dismission from this Church, he became 
pastor of the Edwards Church, Northampton, and is 
now settled over a Presbyterian Church in Augusta, 
Ga. He has received the degree of D.D. from a col- 
lege in Ga. 

Rev. Frederic W. Barton, of Cheshire, Vt., 
studied theology at Andover. He was settled over 
this Church, September 30, 1841, and dismissed 
from the same, November 2, 1846, since which time, 
in consequence of an affection of the throat, he has 
preached only occasionally, and is now engaged in 
secular pursuits. 

Rev. William Wright, of Middle Haddam, Ct., 

4* 



82 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

graduated at Yale College in 1835, and received his 
theological education at New Haven. Previous to 
his installation in Chicopee, he was settled in the 
pastoral office, successively, at Jewit City and 
Plain ville, Ct. 

The present number of members in this Church 
is 151, and in the Sabbath-school 180. This Society 
pays its minister a salary of 8700. 

The Third Church was organized October 16, 
1834. The meeting-house was built at a cost of 
about $7000, more than $5000 of which were paid 
by Nathan P. Ames, Esq., a benevolent member of 
the Society, who has since deceased. 

Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, of Easthampton, gra- 
duated at Yale College in 1822, and studied theo- 
logy at Andover. Previous to his settlement over 
this Church, he was colleague pastor of the Church 
in Enfield, Hampshire county. He was dismissed 
January 22, 1850, and is now settled at Johnsbury, 
Vt. 

Rev. Geo. A. Oviatt, of Bridgeport, Ct., is a 
graduate of Yale, of the class oi 1835. He studied 
theology at New Haven. He was twice settled 
previous to his installation over the Third Church 
in Chicopee : first, over the First Church in Bel- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 83 

chertown ; and next, the Shawmut Church in Bos- 
ton. 

This Church has 225 members, and the Sunday- 
school 240, and pays a salary of $850. 



HOLLAND. 

This town belongs to Hampden county, though 
its pastors have never been members of the Associa- 
tion. It is inserted here for the purpose of making 
the county complete. The Church was organized 
September 13, 1765, and at the present time consists 
of 47 members. 

Rev. Ezra Reeve, of Long Island, graduated 
at Yale in 1757, and was ordained the day the 
Church was organized. He continued there till he 
died, April 28, 1818, in the 85th year of his age. 

Rev. Enoch Burt, of Longmeadow, graduated at 
Nassau Hall, Princeton, in 1805. He was in early 
life a machinist, and possessed uncommon inventive 
powers. After leaving college, he labored as mis- 
sionary at the West until about 1820. He returned 
to the East, was installed at Holland, May 19, 1821, 



84 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

and was dismissed March 5, 1823. He was then 
pastor at Manchester, Ct., from 1824 to 1828. 
Since his dismission he has continued to reside there, 
and is still living. 

Rev. James Sanford was born in Berkley in 
1786, graduated at Brown University in 1812, and 
preached several years in Jefferson county, N. Y. 
He was installed at Gill, December, 1829, and dis- 
missed in 1831, and was at Holland most of the 
time from 1832 to 1846. He was in some of the 
years represented as stated supply, and in others as 
pastor in the Ministry of General Association. It is 
not known where he now resides 

Rev. Alvah C. Page, of Hawley, graduated at 
Amherst in 1829, was ordained pastor of the Church 
in Norwich in 1834, and dismissed the next year. 
In 1836 he was settled at Tyringham (now Monte- 
rey), and dismissed in 1845. After this he preached 
a while in N. H., then at Pelham, Mass., and was 
settled at Holland, December 3, 1851. 



L OX G MEADOW. 

This Church was organized October 17, 1716, 
when tbe ordination of its first pastor occurred. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY, 85 

Longmeadow was incorporated as a distinct precinct, 
February 17, 1713, when it contained a little less 
than 40 families. 

Rev. Stephen Williams was the great-grand- 
son of Robert Williams, who came from Norwich, 
in England, and settled at an early period in Rox- 
bury. He was the grandson of Samuel Williams, a 
son of Robert, and a son of the Rev. John Williams, 
of Deerfield. Rev. John Williams, and all his fami- 
ly, except the eldest son, were taken captive by the 
French and Indians, February 29, 1704. His two 
youngest children were killed on the day in which 
they were taken, and his wife on the day following. 
He was carried to Canada, with five of his children. 
His son Stephen was redeemed, and arrived at Bos- 
ton, November 21, 1705. After his return from cap- 
tivity, he became a member of Harvard College, 
where he graduated in 1713. He was ordained 
October 17, 1716. He was married July 3, 1718, 
to Miss Abigail Davenport, daughter of Rev. John 
Davenport, of Stamford, Ct. They had eight chil- 
dren, three of whom settled in the ministry. Dr. 
Williams served as chaplain in three campaigns. 
He received the degree of D.D. from Dartmouth 
College in 1773. He died June 10, 1782, greatly 
lamented, in the 90th year of his age, and the 66th 
of his ministry. A sermon was preached at his 






86 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

funeral by Rev. Mr. Breck, of Springfield, from 
2 Kings, ii. 9, 10, 11. The only publication of Dr. 
Williams, was a Sermon at the ordination of Rev. 
John Keep, at Sheffield, in 1772. His own ordina- 
tion sermon was preached by his father. A manu- 
script journal of Dr. Williams, in the possession of 
his surviving relatives in Longmeadow, is a relict of 
no ordinary interest. A part of it he wrote dur- 
ing his three years of service in the army as chap- 
lain. 

Rev. Richard Salter Storrs was the son of 
the Rev. John Storrs, and was born at Mansfield, 
August 30, 1763. He was early adopted into the 
family of the Rev. Richard Salter, D.D., of Mans- 
field, and under his tuition was prepared for his col- 
legiate course. He graduated at Yale in 1783, and 
was ordained at Longmeadow, December 7, 1785. 
He was married, October 12, 1785, to Miss Sarah 
Williston, daughter of Rev. Noah Williston, of West 
Haven; and after her death, in 179S, to Miss Sarah 
Williams, grand-daughter of his predecessor. He 
had ten children, two of whom settled in the minis- 
try. Mr. Storrs fulfilled the duties of his office with 
much fidelity and reputation, till October 3, 1819, 
when his labors were suddenly terminated by death. 
His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. 
Osgood, of Springfield, from 1 Cor. xv. 5, 7. Mr. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 87 

Storrs' ordination sermon was preached by his 
father, of Southold, Long Island. 

Rev. Baxter Dickenson, a native of Amherst, 
graduated at Yale in 1817. He was called, with 
great unanimity, to settle as the successor of Mr. 
Storrs. His ordination sermon was preached by 
the Rev. Mr. Perkins, of Amherst, from 1 Timothy, 
iv. 15. He was dismissed October 20, 1829, and 
was immediately settled over a Presbyterian Church 
in the city of Newark, N. J. Since his dismission 
from that Church, he has been a professor in Lane 
Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, O., and the Theo- 
logical Seminary at Auburn, N. Y. He is now one 
of the secretaries of the American and Foreign 
Christian Union. He received the degree of D.D. 
from Amherst, in 1838. 

Rev. Jonathan B. Condit was born in Hanover, 
N. J. He graduated at New Jersey College in 
1827, and studied theology in the seminary at Prince- 
ton. He was dismissed from his charge in Long- 
meadow, October 4, 1835, since which time he has 
been a professor in Amherst College ; pastor of a 
church in Portland, Me. ; also pastor of a Presby- 
terian church in Newark, N. J. ; and he is now a 
professor in Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, O. 



i 



88 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Rev. Hubbard Beebe, of Richmond, Mass., gradu- 
ated at Williams' College in 1833, and studied theo- 
logy at Andover. He was ordained Oct. 18, 1837, 
and dismissed March 21, 1843. After his dismission 
he was engaged for a season in teaching in "West field 
Academy ; he has since been pastor of the Congre- 
gational Church in South Wilbraham, from which 
he was dismissed in 1852, and is now settled over 
the Congregational Church in Sturbridge 

Rev. Samuel Wolcott, of East Windsor, Ct., 
graduated at Yale in 1833. After his graduation at 
Andover, for a period of two years, he was engaged 
in assisting the secretary of the A. B. C. F. M. On 
November 13, 1839, he was ordained in Bowdoin- 
street church, Boston, as a foreign missionary, and 
arrived at Beyrout the next April. In 1843 he re- 
turned to his native land, and in August of the same 
year was settled over the Church in Longmeadow, 
from which he was dismissed December 27, 1847. 
Soon after his dismission from this Church, he was 
installed pastor of the First Church in Belchertown. 
From this Church he was dismissed a few months 
since, and is now the pastor of the High-street 
Church, Providence, K. I. 

Rev. John W. Harding, the present pastor of 
this Church, is a native of Waltham, and son of 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 89 

Rev. Sewall Harding. He graduated at Yale Col- 
lege in 1845, and studied theology at Andover. 

The membership of this Church is 183, and in 
the Sunday-school 100. This Society pays a salary 
of $700. 



. LONGMEADOW EAST. 
This Church was organized April 22, 1839 

Rev, Calvin Foot. (See Southwick.) 

Rev. Martyn Tupper, of Stafford, Ct., graduat- 
ed at Nassau Hall in 1826. He studied theology at 
New Haven, and was licensed by the New Haven 
East Association, in 1828. He was first settled in 
Hardwick. After his dismission from the Church in 
East Longmeadow, he was settled in Lanesboro', 
Berkshire county, and is now again pastor of the 
Congregational Church in Hardwick. 

Rev. William E. Dixon, of Enfield, Ct., is a 
graduate of Williams' College, of the class of 1833. 
In 1841 he was settled over the First Church in 
Ware, and dismissed in 1842, in consequence of ill- 



90 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

health. After a residence of a few years in his na- 
tive place, having recovered his health, he was again 
settled in Esperance, N. Y. He was installed here 
October 14, 1852. 

This Church has 105 members, and the Sunday- 
school 72, and pays a salary of $500. 



LUDLOW. 

This town was originally a part of Springfield ; 
its settlement was commenced about the year 1750, 
and it was incorporated in February, 1794 ; the first 
meeting-house was built in 1784. 

Rev. Antipas Steward was a native of Marl- 
boro', Mass. He studied theology at Cambridge, 
having graduated at Harvard University in 1760. 
He was a scholar of considerable eminence. For a 
time he was tutor in the University. Among his 
papers is an essay on the subject of Justification, 
written in Latin, which he read in the chapel of 
Harvard College. He was dismissed in 1803, and 
afterwards removed to Belchertown, where he died 
and was buried. Mr. Steward was a distinguished 
Hebrew scholar. When he was ordained, Novem- 
ber 27, 1793, he requested Dr. Howard, of Spring- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 91 

field, to preach his ordination sermon, and gave him 
the text, 1 Cor. iv. 2 : " Moreover it is required of 
stewards that a man be found faithful.'' 

And after much alienation had arisen in the parish, 
and troubles had become so great as to render it 
necessary for him to leave, he again requested Dr. 
Howard to preach a sermon at his dismission, and 
gave him the text, Rev. ii. 13 : "I know thy works 
and where thou dwell est, even where Satan's seat 
is ; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not 
denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas 
was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, 
where Satan dwelleth." Dr. Howard replied, " If 
I should go there and preach from that text, they 
would stone me out of the place." It is needless to 
add that Mr. Steward's last request was not granted. 

Dr. Lathrop is said to have related the following : 
At a meeting of the xlssociation, some one advanced 
the belief that all the wicked hated God. Mr. Ste- 
ward denied this, and inquired how it was that they 
should desire to go into his presence if they hated 
him, and quoted the parable of the Virgins, Matt, 
xxv. 11 : "Afterwards came also the other virgins, 
saying, Lord, Lord ! open unto us !" The reply 
was, that parables were not designed to go on all 
fours. To this Mr. S. answered, " They go at least 
on two legs, and if your interpretation is right, they 
cannot go at all ; for you cut off all the legs." 



92 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Mr. Steward died the 15th of March, 1814, aged 80 
years. 

Rev. E. B. Wright, a native of Westhampton, 
graduated at Williams' College in 1 814. He studied 
theology at Andover Theological Seminary, and was 
licensed to preach by the Salem Association at Dan- 
vers, April, 1817. He was ordained December 8, 
1819. His dismission from the First Church in 
Ludlow took place in October, 1835, at the time 
of his installation over the First Church in Chico- 
pee. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge in 
Chicopee after a period of about four years, in 1839. 
In 1842 he was installed over the First Church in 
Norwich, Mass., where he still resides, though dis- 
missed from the pastoral charge of that Church. 

Rev. David R. Austin, of Norwich, Ct., gradu- 
ated at Union in 1S27, and after teaching awhile in 
South Hadlev, was ordained. May 1. 1S35. He 
was dismissed in July, 1S37, and was then preceptor 
of Monson Academy about two years. He was in- 
stalled pastor of the Church in Sturbridge, May 12, 
1839, and dismissed in consequence of ill-health in 
1861. He has recently been settled in Norwalk, 
Ct. He married a daughter of Dr. Elv of Monson. 






Rev. Alonzo Sanderson. (See Tolland.) 



IS HAMPDEN COUNTY, 93 

Rev. J. W. Tuck, of Kensington, N. H., gra- 
duated at Amherst College in 1840, studied theology 
at Andover and East Windsor seminaries, was li- 
censed by the Hampden Association, at West Spring- 
field, in 1842, and ordained September 6, 1843. 

This Church has 158 members, and the Sunday- 
school 200, and pays a salary of $550. 

The Second Church is at Jencksville, and was 
organized June 6, 1847. 

Rev. William Hall was ordained in 1848, and 
dismissed the next year. He is the only pastor the 
Church has had. He came from the State of New 
York, and was educated in that State. The Church 
is small, consisting of only 14 members. Rev. Eb- 
enezer B. Wright has supplied them for two years. 



MO^ISON. 

This town was incorporated April 25, 1760, and 
its name given by Governor Powna 1 . At this time 
there were but 49 families in the town. The 
first candidate for settlement in ti\e ministry, 
was Simeon Strong, of Amherst, who was after- 



94 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

wards Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. 
This Church was organized June 3, 1762. 

Rev. Abishai Sabine was a native of Pomfret, 
Ct., and graduated at Yale College in 1759. He 
was ordained June 23, 1762, and his ministry is 
said to have been orthodox, acceptable and useful. 
On account of ill-health he was dismissed, July, 
1771. After his dismission, he retired to Pomfret, 
his native place, where he died in 1782. 

Rev. Jesse Ives was born in Meriden, Ct. He 
graduated at Yale College in 1758. Before he 
came to Monson he had been settled as pastor of a 
Church in a part of Norwich, Ct. He officiated as 
pastor of the Church in Monson till his death, a 
period of 32 years and six months. He died De- 
cember 31, 1805, aged 71. 

Rev. Alfred Ely, D.D., is a natnv of West 
Springfield, graduated at New Jersey College in 
1804, and studied theology St Princeton, and also 
under the direction of Dr. Lathrop, of West Spring- 
field. He was licensed at Monson, by the South 
Association of Hampshire county, February. 18 
and ordained December 17, 1806. Dr. Ely still 
remains the senior pastor at Monson, having offici- 
ated as sole pastor more than 3G years. Dr. 1 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 95 

married a daughter of Rev. Uriel Gridley, of Water- 
town, Ct. 

Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, of Salisbury, N. H., 
is a graduate of Dartmouth College, of the class of 
1836. He studied theology at Andover. He was 
settled in Monson as colleague pastor with Dr. Ely, 
August 2, 1843. His dismission occurred April 7, 
1846, having received an appointment to a profes- 
sorship in Western Reserve College. Mr. Bartlett 
is now pastor of a Church in the city of Manchester, 
N. H. 

Rev. Charles B. Kittredge, of Mount Vernon, 
N. H., is a graduate of Dartmouth College, 1828. 
He pursued his theological studies at Andover, and 
was licensed in 1832 by the North Suffolk Associa- 
tion. He was first settled in Groton, Mass. His 
second settlement was over the Church in West- 
boro', this State. He was installed at Monson, as 
colleague pastor with Dr. Ely, October 21, 1846, 
and dismissed in the early part of June, 1853. He 
still resides in Monson. 

The present membership of the Church in Mon- 
son is 333, and of the Sunday-school 200. This 
Society has paid a salary of $600. 



96 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 



PALMER. 

First Church. The first settlement in Palmer, 
it is supposed, was made in 1717. A report of the 
committee to the Legislature, in June, 1733, in 
regard to granting the settlement an act of incorpo- 
ration, shows that they had then been supplied with 
preaching about three years. No records of the 
Church are found of an earlier date than 1753; so 
that nothing definite can be ascertained respecting 
the date and circumstances of its formation. This 
Church was organized by emigrants from England 
and the north of Ireland, it is supposed in 1730. 

Rev. Joseph Harvey was from the north of Ire- 
land, and received his education before he came to 
America. This Church was originally Presbyte- 
rian, and Mr. Harvey was ordained by the London- 
derry Presbytery, June 5, 1734. Rev. Mr. Thomp- 
son, of Londonderry, preached the sermon. Mr. 
Harvey was dismissed in 1748, as the result of a 
difficulty between him and his Church. 

Rev. Robert Burns was from the north of Ire- 
land. He was settled over this Church, November, 
1753. "An unhappy controversy arose between 
him and the Church in 1756, in consequence of 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 97 

which the pastoral relation of Mr. Burns to the 
Church was dissolved." The records give no account 
of his dismission, but state that, May 5, 1758, the 
Church was without a pastor, and that Mr. Burns' 
farm was purchased by the town in the summer 
of 1758. 

Rev. Moses Baldwin was a native of Newark, 
New Jersey, and a graduate of New Jersey College 
in 1757. Previous to his settlement over this 
Church, June 17, 1761, he had been ordained as an 
Evangelist. He was installed by the Boston Presby- 
tery. His dismission occurred June 19, 1811, when 
his successor was settled. Few ministers ever went 
through a greater variety of trials, or subsisted on a 
smaller income ; and few ever manifested a more 
devoted attachment to their people, or more ear- 
nestly labored in defence of the " faith once deli- 
vered to the saints." His preaching was interesting 
and impressive. He died Nov. 2, 1813, aged 81. 

Rev. Simeon Colton was born in Longmeadow. 
He graduated at Yale College in 1806, and was or- 
dained June 19, 1811. His ordination sermon was 
preached by Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, of Lei- 
cester. It was about the year 1811 that the Church 
changed its form of government, and became Con- 
gregational. Mr. Colton was dismissed in 1821, 

5 



98 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

November 13. After this he taught in Monson Aca- 
demy ; also in North Carolina; and is now presi- 
dent of a college in one of the south-western States. 
In 1846 he received the degree of D.D. from a col- 
lege in Delaware. 

Rev. Henry H. F. Sweet, of Attleboro, this 
State, graduated at Brown University in 1822, and 
was ordained November 9, 1825. His ordination 
sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Ide, of Medway. 
Mr. Sweet died in 1827. Rev. Dr. Ely, of Monson, 
preached his funeral sermon. " As a man, Mr. 
Sweet was unassuming and kind in his manners and 
intercourse with others. As a preacher, he was 
interesting and impressive. He was thoroughly Cal- 
vinistic in his doctrinal views." His age was 31. 

Rev. Joseph K. Ware was born in Conway. 
He graduated at Amherst College in 1824, and was 
ordained December 12, 1S27. His ordination ser- 
mon was preached by Rev. Dr. Humphrey. He 
was dismissed March 16, 1831, and has since been 
settled in western New York. 

Rev. Samuel Backus, of Canterbury, Ct., gra- 
duated at Union College in 1811, His first settle- 
ment was in Woodstock, in his native State. He 
was dismissed May 4, 1841, since which time he 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 99 

has not been a settled pastor. He now resides in 
the city of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Rev. Moses K. Cross, of Danvers, Mass., graduated 
at Amherst in 1838, studied theology at Andover, and 
was ordained in February, 1842. His ordination 
sermon was preached by Rev. M. F. Braman of 
Danvers. Mr. C. was dismissed at his own request, 
November 22, 1848, and is now settled at South 
Deerfield. 

Rev. Sylvester Hine, of Middlebury, Ct., gra- 
duated at Yale College in 1843. He received his 
theological education in East Windsor. Previous 
to his settlement in Palmer, November 19, 1851, he 
was pastor of a Congregational Church in Ticonde- 
roga, N. Y. 

This Church has 101 members, and the Sunday- 
school 100. The pastor receives a salary of $500. 

The Second Church, at Palmer Depot, was or- 
ganized April 1, 1847. 

Rev. Thomas Wilson, of Paisley, Scotland, 
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1844, stu- 
died theology one year at New Haven, and two 
years at Andover, and was ordained February 29, 

1848. After a ministry of four years, as the pastor 
LcfC. 



100 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

of this Church, he was dismissed April 14, 1852. 
He is now settled in Westford. 

This Church has 87 members, and the Sunday- 
school 100. 



SPRINGFIELD. 

The First Congregational Church was organized 
in 1637. There is considerable obscurity resting 
over the history of the first settlement of the town. 
It commenced, probably, in 1635 ; but the first per- 
manent settlement was in the spring of 1636, when 
Mr. Pynchon, with a number of other persons, with 
their families, removed from Roxbury and came to 
Springfield. When Mr. Pynchon, and those who 
accompanied him, came here, they made an agree- 
ment, the original of which is in the first book of 
records of the town, and subscribed by them. It is 
dated May 14, 1636, and consists of fifteen articles, 
the first of which provides for the settlement of a 
minister. This agreement has the signature of only 
eight persons, though there is internal evidence that 
there were twelve concerned. 

One leading object of the first settlers, in coming 



IN HAxMPDEN COUNTY. 101 

to this place, was that they might have a settled 
ministry, and unite in a Church. There are no 
early church records extant ; but there is no reason 
to doubt that a Church was organized at the time 
of Rev. Mr. Moxon's coming here, in 1637. Mr. 
Pynchon, and several others who were here then, 
were church-members, and persons eminent for piety, 
and professedly designed to organize a Church with- 
out delay. Says George Bliss, Esq., — " The forma- 
tion of the Church has been, by some waiters, I 
know not upon what authority, postponed to the 
year 1645, as the time of the incorporation of the 
town was. This Church w T as probably the four- 
teenth in Massachusetts." 

Rev. George Moxon was the first pastor of this 
Church. He is said to have arrived at Boston in 
1637. Before he came to this country, he received 
ordination in the Episcopal Church. In the year 
1652 he returned to his native land. There is in 
existence a manuscript, containing sketches of Mr. 
Moxon's sermons, taken, probably, at the time they 
were delivered, by John, son of William Pynchon, 
in 1649. They indicate respectable intellectual 
powers, and contain the general doctrines of the 
Reformation. There is no record of his family, ex- 
cept of the birth of three children. There is a tra- 
dition, that he was silenced after his return to Eng- 



102 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

land, in 1662, and died in great obscurity as a com- 
mon servant. 

It is not easy to ascertain precisely the amount 
of Mr. Moxon's salary, or that of his immediate 
successors, as there was a gradual depreciation 
from sterling at 4s. 6d. a dollar, as it was at 
first, to 6s. a dollar, at which it was fixed in 
1707. The currency afterwards greatly depreciated, 
so that in 1750 it was 45s. to a dollar. Mr. Mox- 
on's salary began at £45 sterling, and varied to £70. 
Besides this he had a house-lot, meadow, and wood- 
lot, together with a house and barn. The house, 
when built, in 1639, cost £40. According to the 
fashion of the time, it was thatched. 

Rev. Pelatiah Glover was a native of Dor- 
chester. He preached his first sermon in Spring- 
field, July 3, 1659; but was not ordained till some 
time in the year 1661. He continued his labors as 
the pastor of this Church till they were terminated 
by death. He is represented as having been a dili- 
gent student, an energetic preacher, and a faithful 
pastor. The record of his deatli is as follows : 
" March 29, 1692, the Rev. Pelatiah Glover fell 
asleep in Jesus, aged do years." 

Mr. Glovers salary was originally £S0. with the 
use of the ministry-house and lands. In 167S the 
parish voted an addition of £20 for that year. It 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 103 

was during the period of Mr. Glover's ministry, in 
1675, that the town was so severely scourged by 
the Indians. When the town was fired, October 5, 
about 30 dwelling-houses and 25 barns were des- 
troyed ; among them was the house occupied by 
Rev. Mr. Glover, together with his library, which 
is said to have been extensive and valuable. 

When Mr. Glover died, he left behind him a 
family ; but the number of his children, or where 
they settled, have not been ascertained. His wife 
died in 1689 ; and at least three of his children died 
before him. 

Since writing the above, we have ascertained that 
Mr. Glover was educated at Harvard College, 
though he did not graduate with his class. 

Rev. Daniel Brewer was a native of Roxbury, 
and was the son of Daniel Brewer, who is said to 
have been born in England. He graduated at Har- 
vard University in 1687, and married Miss Cathe- 
rine Chauncey, of Hatfield, August 23, 1689. He 
had eight children, six of whom survived him, and 
most of them settled in this vicinity. Mr. Brewer 
was ordained May 16, 1694, and died November 5, 
1733, in the 66th year of his age, and the 40th of 
his ministry. His widow died May 15, 1754, in the 
79th year of her age. 

Rev. Robert Breck was born in Marlboro. He 



104 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

was the great-grandson of Edward Breck, who came 
from England and settled in Dorchester. He was 
the grandson of Capt. John Breck, of Dorchester, 
and the son of the Rev. Robert Breck, of Marlboro. 
He graduated at Harvard University in 1730. His 
first wife was Eunice, daughter of Rev. Daniel 
Brewer; and his second wife was Mrs. Helena, 
widow of Rev. Edward Dorr, of Hartford, Ct. He 
died of consumption, April 23, 1784, in the 71st 
year of his age, and the 49th of his ministry. Dr. 
Lathrop preached his funeral sermon, from 2 Tim. 
iv. 6, 7, 8. His ordination sermon, January 26, 
1736, was preached by Rev. Mr. Cooper, of Boston, 
from Mark xiii. 3. " The call and settlement of Mr, 
Breck were the occasion of one of the most violent 
controversies which has ever distracted this part of 
the Church. The allegations against him related 
principally to his religious sentiments. His ordina- 
tion was warmly opposed by a majority of the mi- 
nisters of this county, as well as by a considerable 
number of the parish ; and even during the session 
of the council which was to have ordained him, he 
was arrested by a civil officer and carried to Con- 
necticut, to answer to such things as should be ob- 
jected to him. In consequence of the extreme agi- 
tation which prevailed in the town and neighbor- 
hood, the council thought it not expedient to proceed, 
at that time, to his ordination, and deferred it to a 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 105 

subsequent period. Mr. Breck, by his uncommon 
prudence, gradually gained the favor both of his op- 
posing brethren and parishioners ; and it was not 
many years before the congregation became united 
in his ministry, and his brethren in the neighborhood 
received him into fellowship." It is said that if he 
wanted any favor, such as the use of a horse or the 
loan of money, he applied first to his opposers, and 
made them his friends by the apparent confidence 
he reposed in them. He was more inclined to Ar- 
minianism than Calvinism. 

Rev. Bezaleel Howard, of Bridgewater, gra- 
duated at Harvard in 1781, and was ordained April 
27, 1785. The sermon was preached by Rev. Tim- 
othy Hilliard, of Cambridge, from Titus ii. 15. In 
1803, in consequence of ill-health, he was obliged to 
retire from the active duties of the ministry. After 
waiting about tw r o years, in the hope that his health 
might be restored, it was mutually agreed that a 
dissolution of the union between him and his people 
should take place, whenever the parish should unite 
in the settlement of another minister. Accordingly, 
the resignation of his charge was read on the day of 
the ordination of his successor ; and the grateful and 
affectionate regards of his people followed him to 
retired life. The degree of D.D. was conferred on 



106 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

him by the University at Cambridge. He died De- 
cember, 1836, aged 83. 

Rev. Dr. Osgood is a native of Fryburg, Me., 
graduated at Dartmouth in 1805, and was ordained 
January 25, 1809. The sermon was preached by 
Rev. Dr. Harris, of Dorchester, from 1 Tim. iv. 16. 
On the termination of the 40th year of his ministry, 
Dr. Osgood preached a sermon from Acts xx. 26, 27, 
which was published. Dr. Osgood, now the oldest 
settled pastor but one in the Hampden East Asso- 
ciation, and the oldest settled pastor but two in the 
county, is in the 46th year oi his ministry as pastor 
of the First Church in Springfield. He received the 
degree of D.D. from Nassau Hall in 182'. 

This Church has 412 members, and the Sundav- 
school 260. The Society has a fund, the income of 
which is $700 per annum. The salary paid is $1000. 

The Second Church, on the Hill, was organized 
January 8, 1833, and was then the Fourth Congre- 
gational Church in Springfield. 

Rev. Abraham C. Baldwin, of Guilford, Ct., 
graduated at Bowdoin in 1827, and was ordained 
December 4, 1833. He studied theology at Xew 
Haven. After his dismission from this Church, Ja- 
nuary 8, 1839, he engaged for a season in teaching, 
in Newburgh, N. Y., after which he became pastor 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 107 

of the Howe-street Church, New Haven, Ct. At 
present, he is connected with the deaf and dumb 
institution at Hartford. He married a daughter of 
Dr. Foot, of North Haven, Ct. 

Rev. Ezekiel Russel, of South Wilbraham, 
graduated at Amherst College in 1829. He received 
his theological education at Andover, and was or- 
dained May 15, 1839. His dismission from the 
Fourth Church in Springfield took place in 1849. 
Mr. Russel is now pastor of the Congregational 
Church in East Randolph, over which he was set- 
tled May 8, 1850. He was settled at North Adams 
from 1836 to 1839. 

Rev. Samuel W. Strong, son of Rev. William 
Strong, of Somers, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1843, 
studied theology at New Haven, and was ordained 
March 27, 1850. He was dismissed in consequence 
of ill-health in 1852, since which he has been able 
to preach but little. 

The South Congregational Church, a colony 
from the First, was organized March 23, 1843. 

Rev. Noah Porter, Jr., of Farmington, Ct., 
son of Rev. Noah Porter, D.D., graduated at Yale 
College in 1831, and studied theology at New Ha- 
ven. His first settlement in the ministry was at 



108 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Milford, Ct. He was installed over this Church, 
January 12, 1843, and dismissed from the same, Ja- 
nuary 5, 1847, for the purpose of accepting a call 
to the professorship of moral philosophy and meta- 
physics in Yale College, which professorship he still 
occupies. 

Rev. Samuel G. Buckingham, of Lebanon, Ct., 
graduated at Yale in 1833, and received his theolo- 
gical education at New Haven. He was first set- 
tled at Millbury, and installed over this Church, 
June 16, 1847. Mr. Porter and Mr. Buckingham 
both married daughters of Rev. N. \Y. Taylor, D.D., 
of New Haven, Ct. 

This Church has 267 members, and the Sunday- 
school 225. The Society pays a salary of $1200. 

The North Church was organized October 28, 
1846. 

Rev. Raymond H. Seeley, of New York, gra- 
duated at the University of New York in 1639, and 
received his theological education at the Union 
Theological Seminary, New York city. He was 
first settled in Bristol, Ct. His installation over this 
Church occurred March 1, 1S49. On the evening 
of the same day the meeting-house was dedicated. 
The pastor preached the dedication sermon. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 109 

This Church has 134 members, and the Sunday- 
school 168. The Society pays a salary of $1200. 



WILBRAHAM. 

The first settlement in Wilbraham was in 1731. 
In May, 1741, the parish was incorporated by the 
name of the Fourth Parish in Springfield. It usually 
went by the name of Springfield Mountain, till 1763, 
when it was incorporated as a town, and received its 
present name. The Church was organized June 
24, 1741. 

Rev. Noah Merrick was the grandson of Tho- 
mas Merrick, who came from Wales to Roxbury 
about 1630, and thence to Springfield in 1636. He 
was the youngest son of James Merrick, who was a 
native of West Springfield. He graduated at Yale 
in 1731, and was ordained June 24, 1741. He was 
married in October, 1744, to Mrs. Abigail Brainard, 
widow of the Rev. Mr. Brainard, of Eastbury, Ct., 
and daughter of the Rev. Phinehas Fisk, of Had- 
dam. Mr. Merrick died, much lamented, December 
22, 1776, in the 66th year of his age, and the 36th 
of his ministry. The sermon at his funeral was 



110 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

preached by the Rev. Mr. Breck, of Springfield, 
from 2 Cor. iv. 7. The widow of Mr. Merrick died 
September, 1807, in the 90th year of her age. 

The ordination service of Mr. Merrick was to 
have been performed under a large oak tree ; but as 
the morning proved rainy, they assembled in a barn, 
and there attended the ordaining solemnities. 

Rev. Joseph Willard was the son of Rev. Dr. 
Willard, of Stafford, Ct. He graduated at Harvard 
University in 1784, and was ordained May 3, 1787. 
His ordination sermon was preached by his father. 
He was dismissed February 11, 1794, and was af- 
terwards settled in Lancaster, N. H., where he died, 
July 22, 1827, aged 66. 

Rev. Ezra Witter of Lisbon, Ct., graduated 
at Yale College in 1793, and was ordained August 
16, 1797. His father preached his ordination ser- 
mon. He was dismissed May 31, 1S14, and after- 
wards engaged as an instructor in an Academy in 
Tennessee. He died in 1833. 

Rev. Ebenezer Brown, of Brimfield, graduated 
at Yale in 1813, and was ordained March 3, 1S19. 
His ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. 
Bartlett, of East Windsor, Ct. After a ministry 
here of eight years, he was dismissed, June, ISO?, 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. Ill 

since which time he has been settled in Prescott 
and North Hadley, in this State. In 1839, Mr. B. 
went to Illinois as a home missionary, and continued 
there employed till 1848. 

Rev. John Hyde, of Franklin, Ct,, graduated at 
Yale in 1803, was pastor at Hampden, Ct., from 
1807 to 1811 ; at Preston, Ct., from 1812 to 1827 ; 
and was installed at Wilbraham in April, 1828, and 
dismissed January, 1832. He died in 1848, and 
must have been full 65 years old. 

Rev. Israel G. Rose, of Coventry, Ct., gradu- 
ated at Yale in 1821, was pastor of the Church in 
Westminster — a parish of Canterbury, Ct., — from 
1825 to 1831, and at Wilbraham from April, 1832, 
to February, 1835. In November of the last-named 
year, he was settled at Chesterfield, where he died, 
February 5, 1842, aged 43 years. 

Rev. John Bowers, of Dudley, graduated at 
Yale College in 1832. He studied theology at 
Princeton, and was ordained December 13, 1837. 
Previous to his ordination, for a season, he taught 
in Monson Academy. 

This Church has 202 members, and the Sunday- 
school 110. The Society pays a salary of $500. 



112 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

The South Church was organized in 1785. 

Rev. Moses Warren, of Upton, graduated at 
Harvard College in 1784, and studied theology with 
Rev. Mr. Fisk, of Upton ; was licensed at Milford 
in 1785, and ordained September 3, 1788. He con- 
tinued pastor of this Church till his death, February 
19, 1829 — a period of 40 years — aged 71. Mr. \Y. 
sustained a respect able standing as a classical scho- 
lar, and was remarkable for his amiability and diffi- 
dence of manner. He was a man of prayer; and 
when he visited a minister, or was visited by one, 
he proposed to unite in a short prayer before t 
separated. He was esteemed as a good man, full 
of the Holy Ghost and of faith. His salary was 
always small, but he was contented with it. 

Rev. Lucira W. Clarke, of Mansfield, Ct., gra- 
duated at Brown University in 1 V J\ was ordained 
December 9, 1829, and dismissed December 13, 
1832, He died at Middlebury, Yt.. January 
1854, aged 53. 

Rev. Jamf.s A. ELlxkn, of West Springfield, gra- 
duated at Yale College in 1834, and at the theolo- 
gical seminary in New Haven, and was ordained 
January 30, 1889. He was dismissed June 
1849, since which he has been settled in South 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 113 

Williamstown, and is now pastor of a Church in 
Lisbon, Ct. 

Rev. Hubbard Beebe. (See Longmeadow.) 

Rev. E. S. Skinner, of Prattsburgh, N. Y., gra- 
duated at Oberlin in 1849, studied theology at An- 
dover, and was ordained May 19, 1853. 

This Church has 76 members, and the Sunday- 
school 100. The Society pays a salary of $600. 



114 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 



EXTRACTS 
From the Minutes of the Association. 



The first meeting of the Hampshire South Asso- 
ciation was holden at Longmeadow, in January, 
1749. Meetings were holden quarterly. The exer- 
cises consisted, for many years, (1) of the discussion 
of a question, by all the members, that had been 
preyiously giyen, and for which each was expected 
to prepare himself; (2) in advising in regard to diffi- 
culties that might exist in any of their parishes ; 
and (3) in the communication of any thing useful or 
interesting, which any one had been learned by 
reading. 

It was customary for one who was preaching as 
a candidate in any Church, before receiving a call, 
to come before the Association, present his creden- 
tials, and undergo such an examination as would 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 115 

enable them to say he was a suitable person to be 
called to the pastoral office in that Church. 

The following are some of the subjects that came 
before the Association for their consideration. 

In April, 1750, the Church in Northampton ap- 
plied for advice in relation to difficulties between 
them and Mr. Edwards. The Association sent a 
letter to the Church, and a copy of the same to Mr. 
Edwards. 

In January, 1757, it was agreed that, in view of 
the present distressed and melancholy circumstances 
of the land, the dark and threatening aspect of Di- 
vine Providence towards us, which loudly call for 
humiliation, fasting and prayer, we will meet once 
a week, in some of our Churches, till w^e have gone 
through them. 

In April, 1764, the Association wrote a letter to the 
Northern Association, requesting their concurrence 
in a petition to the Governor and Council, for a re- 
dress of the neglect in the distribution of the procla- 
mations. 

In April, 1767, the question was asked, whether 
it is the duty of a minister to act as complainant 
against a member of the Church of which he is the 
pastor? Answer — We are of the opinion that a 
minister has a right to bring a complaint against a 
delinquent member ; but it is not a duty especially 
incumbent on him to perform ; it is unreasonable 



116 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

for the brethren of the Church to ask him to do it, 
or by their neglect to make it necessary that he 
should. 

In July, 1773, Voted, to appoint two members of 
the Association to prepare an essay on Family 
Prayer and the Christian Sabbath, for distribution 
in our churches. 

In January, 1775, Voted, that we recommend to our 
people to meet frequently for prayer in this day of 
our calamity, and that we will endeavor to meet 
with them. 

There was no meeting of the Association from 
July, 1777, to April, 1782, in consequence of public 
difficulties, and the broken state of the Association, 
arising from the deaths of several of its members. 

In April, 17S2, the Association addressed a letter 
to the convention of ministers that met in May, ask- 
ing that body to petition the General Court to devise 
and prosecute some method to procure Bibles, either 
by causing them to be printed, or by importation, 
that there might be a sufficient supply, and at a mo- 
derate price. 

In January, 1792, it was voted that a member of 
the Association be appointed at each meeting to 
preach a Concio ad Clerum at the subsequent meet- 
ing. 

In 1794, it was agreed that a public lecture should 
be preached at each meeting of the Association. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 117 

In February, 1795, a letter was received from 
David Austin, of Elizabethtown, N. J., calling upon 
all ministers to enter into a concert of prayer for 
hastening the latter day of glory to the Church, 
which concert was to be holden quarterly, and con- 
tinued until the object should be obtained, or he 
should release them from observing the day. 

In February, 1799, Voted, to send a missionary to 
the Mohawk River, in the vicinity of Fort Stanwix, 
to labor four months ; to raise $80 in our churches 
to defray his expenses, and that we will supply the 
pulpit of the brother who goes, during his absence. 

Rev. Joel Boker was sent for three months. The 
expense of the mission was assessed upon the 
churches as follows: Westfield, $12; Blandford, 
Springfield, and Monson, $8 each ; East Granville, 
Longmeadow, and West Springfield, $6 each ; South 
Wilbraham $5, and Southwick $4. 

On what principle the assessment was made, the 
records do not show. 

In October, 1800, a committee was appointed to 
act jointly with a committee of the Hampshire As- 
sociation, to compile a Psalm Book for the use of 
the Church, an edition of which was to be published 
by subscription. 

In June, 1801, a committee was appointed to pre- 
pare an address to the congregations in the county 



118 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

on the instruction of children and the observance of 
the Sabbath. 

In February, 1805, voted in favor of forming a 
Genera] Association, provided it could be done in 
such a way as not to interfere with the business of 
the convention of ministers. 

In June, 1807, voted that it is inexepedient to 
form a General Association at present. 

In June, 1809, voted to prepare an address to the 
churches in the comity, on the subject of family 
religion. Appointed two delegates to General Asso- 
ciation. 

In June, 1812, a rule was adopted to appoint at 
each meeting a committee of overtures, and that in- 
dividuals be designated to write on the associational 
question. 

In October, 1S12, voted that the practice of re- 
quiring persons, who offer themselves for admission 
to our churches, to make a public confession of par- 
ticular sins committed prior to their conversion is 
inexpedient. 

In February, 1S14, a plan was adopted for sup- 
plying the destitute and feeble parishes in the countv 
with missionary aid. Two pastors were appointed 
to preach occasionally in certain parishes. 

In October, 1814, measures were taken for the 
formation of an Education Society. Voted to peti- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 119 

tion Congress not to carry the mail on the Sab- 
bath. 

May 2, 1822, it was voted to resolve the Associa- 
tion into an ecclesiastical council, for the purpose 
of considering the expediency of dissolving the con- 
nexion between the Rev. John Keep and the Church 
and people of Blandford. There were present dele- 
gates from the churches in Middle and East Gran- 
ville, and Westfield. 

In February, 1823, it was Voted, that it is expe- 
dient to have an annual conference of the churches 
within the bounds of this Association, and that the 
churches be invited to send delegates from their 
number to this conference, to be held at Ludlow in 
June next. 

February 11, 1824, it was Voted, that it is the 
duty of the Association to inquire of any members 
who shall be absent two meetings in a year, the rea- 
son of such absence, and if not satisfactory, that he 
shall be admonished. 

Suffield, October 12, 1844. It was voted, at the 
request of Rev. Mr. Gay, that the Association be 
formed into an ecclesiastical council, on the subject 
of difficulties between him and his people. 

February 8, 1825, it was voted, that it is the duty 
of our churches, on the removal of any of the mem- 
bers to other places, to furnish them with certificates 
of their regular Christian standing, and require them 



120 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

to unite with the Church where they reside, pro- 
vided it be one with which w T e are in fellowship. 
That members residing among us are to be watched 
over with Christian kindness, invited to unite with 
us in church-fellowship, and if they neglect this 
duty for more than one year, or become worthy of 
censure in any respect, that they shall be immedi- 
ately reported to the churches to which they be- 
long, and excluded from occasional communion with 
us. 

In February, 1826, it was voted, that the breth- 
ren, two by two, visit the churches at some time 
previous to next June. That Messrs. Cooley and 
Knapp visit six on the east side of the river; that 
Osgood and Dickinson visit six on the west side 
and Foot and Hazen the remainder on the west side 
of the river. 

February 9, 1830, it was voted to have a Review 
written for the next meeting. 

At the same meeting, some resolves were passed 
respecting the cause of temperance, and chose a 
committee to prepare a circular to be addressed to 
the inhabitants of the county, and that the commit- 
tee be requested to call a county convention for the 
purpose of forming a county society. 

In 1831, Dr. Cooley presented the following, 
which was adopted : 

Whereas the children of ministers as well as oth- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 121 

ers are by nature in a state of alienation from God, 
the children of wrath, and without the renewing 
grace of God must forever perish, and whereas they 
are in a situation to exert a very powerful influence, 
either good or bad, upon the community, therefore, 
Resolved, 1. That each member of this body set 
apart the evening of the 3d Monday in each month 
as a season for special prayer for the conversion and 
sanctification of our children. 2. That in all our 
intercourse with the children of our brethren, it shall 
be a special object of regard r both by example and 
by other means, to promote their effectual conver- 
sion and growth in grace. 3. That in each meeting 
of this Association, one prayer at least shall be 
offered in special reference to this object. 

In October, 1833, it was voted that, in view of 
the low r state of religion, the members of the Asso- 
ciation would visit each other's churches by two and 
two, and by co-operation with the pastor endeavor 
to promote the spiritual interests of the Church and 
people. 

Also to set apart one hour on every Saturday eve- 
ning, for special prayer for the revival of religion, 
and that the members of the churches be invited to 
join in the concert. Also, that great caution should 
be used in employing Evangelists, and that the 
brethren hold themselves in readiness to assist each 

6 



122 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

other in any ministerial duties as circumstances 
should permit and require. 

In June, 1835, a new constitution was adopted. 

October 12, 1837. Three members were chosen 
to write an exegesis of Christ's first miracle. 

February 12, 1839, a committee was chosen to 
draw up what they consider the views of the Associa- 
tion on the subject of slavery. 



QUESTIONS DISCUSSED AT MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIA- 
TION. 

From 1749 to 1760. 

What arguments and considerations are especially 
proper to stir us up to ministerial faithfulness and 
diligence ? 

Whether infallible assurance belongs to the es- 
sence of saving faith ? 

Whether there is a specific difference between 
common and savins; or ace ? 

What is meant by God's drawing the soul, in 
John vi. 44 ? 

What is the death threatened in Gen. ii. 17? 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 123 

Whether we can justify licensing candidates to 
preach before they are ordained? 

Whether an explicit profession of a dedication of 
himself to God be necessary to a person's com- 
ing to the Lord's table ? 

Is baptism by a layman valid ? 

What is the nature and extent of the forgiveness 
the gospel requires us to exercise ? 

What is necessary to one's being a gospel minis- 
ter ? 

What is the nature of saving faith ? 

Whence arises the necessity of Christ's suffering 
to complete the work of man's redemption ? 

What are we to understand by the expression, 
" Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world ?" 

How are we to reconcile Acts vii. 15, 16, with the 
Old Testament history ? 

What is meant by the expression, " He that is 
least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he ?" 

Why did our Saviour enjoin silence upon some 
persons on whom he wrought miracles ? 

Is it the duty of a private soldier to inquire into 
the grounds and reasons of the war before he fights ? 

Can baptism be regularly administered in private ? 

What is the meaning of 1 Pet. iii. 19 ? 

Whether the obscure passages of Scripture are 
any reasonable objection against their divine author- 
ity ? 



124 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

What reasons have we to expect a national con- 
version of the Jews ? 

Whether Christ's active obedience was properly 
meritorious ? 



From 1760 to 1790. 

Did Elisha intimate to Naaman, in 2 Kings, v. 18, 
19, that it was lawful for him to bow himself in the 
house of Rimmon ? 

Wherein consisted the fault of Moses, for which 
he was excluded from entering the promised land ? 

What method is it proper for us to take for the 
suppression of vice and for the revival of religion ? 

How does faith justify ? 

Whether the evidence of Christianity from pro- 
phecy is invalidated by the supposition that prophecy 
has a double meaning ? 

Was David justified in feigning himself mad be- 
fore Achish ? 

Whether lay-ordination be warrantable ? 

What evidence have we that Jonah was a real 
saint ? 

Does a man's moral obligation cease after he has 
lost the power to fulfil it, if the loss of the power 
was his own fault ? 

Whether human nature is so depraved that a na- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 125 

tural man can do nothing that has any tendency 
towards his salvation ? 

Whether a customary attendance on public wor- 
ship, in places to which a person does not belong, 
can be justified upon the plea of better edification? 

Whether the present method of supporting the 
gospel by a tax can be justified ? 

Can the opinion advanced by some of late, that 
the people may dissolve the pastoral relation with- 
out the advice of a council, be justified ? 

Whether there is in Scripture any foundation for 
the distinction between the common and special in- 
fluences of the Spirit ? 

Wherein lies the force of the argument for the 
resurrection of the dead, in Luke xx. 37 ? 

Whether all baptized persons are to be considered 
as members of the Church ? 

Is the death of the martyrs a proof of the divinity 
of the Christian religion ? 



From 1817 to 1830. 

What errors in doctrine may be considered of such 
a gross nature as to require the person to be disci- 
plined, who holds and endeavors to propagate them ? 

When were sacrifices instituted, and what was 
their design ? 



126 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Will two persons of equal talents, sincerity and 
candor, after as faithful investigation of Scripture as 
they are able to give, embrace doctrines so different 
as materially to affect their religious views and feel- 
ings, and as to render it either proper or necessary 
to refuse Christian fellowship ; and by what rule 
are we to determine which set of opinions is cor- 
rect ? 

Are those who embrace the opinions respecting 
Christ which Arius held, to be considered as em- 
bracing damnable heresy ! 

What is the meaning of St. Paul in the epistle to 
Titus hi. 8 ? " This is a faithful saying, and these 
things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they 
which have believed in God might be careful to 
maintain good works. These things are good and 
profitable unto men." 

When an individual member of a church is ag- 
grieved by the conduct of his pastor, what measures 
shall he take to obtain redress ? 

Ought ministers of the gospel, who are happy in 
connection with their people, to remove, at the in- 
vitation of a college, to fill the places of president or 
professors ? 

What is the duty of churches to the members of 
other churches residing among them ? 

Up to what age is it proper to baptize children on 
the faith of their parents ? 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 127 

What is the best method of conducting revivals 
of religion ? 

What are the benefits of creeds ? 

What are the comparative advantages of Congre- 
gationalism and Presbyterianism ? 

In what sense did Christ die for every man? 

What is the best mode of preaching ? 

Are there any visible reasons why the Holy Spi- 
rit is withheld from the churches, and revivals are 
not more frequent in this region ? 

What is original sin ? 



From 1830 to 1844. 

What are the best means to be employed to de- 
prive persons of their groundless hopes of future 
happiness ? 

Is the 1 John, v. 7, genuine ? 

What kind of preaching is best adapted to promote 
revivals of religion ? 

Have the churches a right to require entire ab- 
stinence from ardent spirits, except as a medicine, 
as a condition of membership ? 

What are the causes which so often occasion 
difficulties in churches and societies soon after sea- 
sons of revival, and which sometimes lead to the 
dismission of a pastor ? 



128 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

What are the reasons why recent revivals of reli- 
gion are comparatively of such short duration ? 

What does the Bible teach respecting regenera- 
tion ? 

To what extent ought ministers to mingle with 
their people in worldly social intercourse ? 

What are the requisite qualifications and duties 
of deacons ? 

In what cases is it expedient for churches to em- 
ploy stated supplies ? 

To what church does a dismissed minister belong ? 

What are the obstacles that retard the tempe- 
rance cause ? 

Are the theories of modern geologists consistent 
with the Mosaic account of the creation? 

Ought ministers to unite persons in marriage who 
have been divorced for any cause but adultery? 

Are churches bound to admit every one who gives 
credible evidence of piety ? 

What are the powers of an ex parte council ? 

In all cases of volition is the power of contrary 
choice essential to free agency ? 

What is the ultimate ground of moral obligation ? 

Is perfect holiness attainable in this life? 

Is it desirable that Congregationalism, as a dis- 
tinct organization, be increased and perpetuated in 
the western States ? 

Is every word of Scripture divinely inspired? 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 129 

Is it desirable to form a home missionary society, 
with special reference to the promotion of Congrega- 
tionalism in the western States ? 

Ought capital punishments to be abolished ? 



The Association was divided, in 1844, into Hamp- 
den East and Hampden West, and the remaining 
questions were discussed by Hampden East. 

From 1844 to 1854. 

Does the power of ordination lie with the minis- 
ters or the Church ? 

What is the Scripture doctrine of the resurrection 
of the body ? 

How far are human governments obligatory ? 

What is the duty of pastors with reference to 
secret societies ? 

Ought the custom of settling pastors on the con- 
dition that either party shall have the power to dis- 
solve the relation, by giving three or six months' 
notice, to be sanctioned or passed over in silence by 
ecclesiastical bodies ? 

What course is it the duty of the Church to take 
with reference to fairs and festivals ? 

What is the nature and necessity of regeneration ? 

Ought colonization, anti-colonization, anti-slavery, 

6* 



130 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

and temperance lectures, as now usually conducted, 
to be countenanced or frequented by Christians and 
Christian ministers on the Sabbath ? 

What is the Scripture doctrine of the Trinity ? 

What is the use of means on the part of sinners 
in securing their salvation ? 

Does Dr. Emmons' theory of divine and human 
agency agree with the Scriptures ? 

What is the nature and extent of inspiration in 
the sacred writers ? 

What is the Bible doctrine of revivals ? 

What is the limit of Christian obligation to obey 
civil laws ? 

What is the foundation of virtue ? 

What is sin ? 

Can sin be properly and truly predicated of any 
thing apart from voluntary moral action ? 

Is it desirable that our churches adopt the custom 
of our fathers with reference to creeds ? 

What are the ecclesiastical powers and relations 
of this Association ? 

Is the present attitude of the publishing commit- 
tee of the American Tract Society towards the in- 
stitution of slavery a right one ! 

Should a belief in the doctrine of infant baptism 
be required as essential to church-membership ? 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 131 

NOTICES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE LICENSED BY 
THE HAMPDEN ASSOCIATION PREVIOUS TO ITS DI- 
VISION, from 1748 to 1844. 

July, 1754. Josiah Whitney graduated at Yale in 
1752, settled at Brooklyn, Ct., received the degree 
of D.D. from Yale and Harvard. He died Octo- 
ber 20, 1824, aged 90. 

January, 1755. Elizur Goodrich graduated at Yale 
in 1752, settled at Durham, Ct., received the de- 
gree of D.D. from Princeton ; died at Norfolk, 
Ct., w T hile on a journey in 1797, of apoplexy, aged 
63 years. 

January, 1756. Joseph Laihrop. (See West Spring- 
field.) 

July, 1757. Gideon Noble, of Westfield, graduated 
at Yale in 1755, w T as ordained at Wellington, Ct., 
November 28, 1759, dismissed in 1787, and died 
there in 1792, aged 64. 

October, 1757. Moses Bliss, of Springfield, gradu- 
ated at Yale in 1755 ; afterwards studied law, 
was appointed judge, and died in 1814, aged 78 
years. 

October, 1758. Nathan Williams, son of Rev. Ste- 
phen W., of Longmeadow, graduated at Yale in 
1755, was ordained at Tolland, Ct., April 30, 
1760, received the degree of D.D. from Princeton 
College, and died ilpril 15, 1829, aged 94 years. 



132 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

August, 1759. Ebenezer Guernsey. He was not a 
graduate of any college. 

July, 1767. Daniel Brewer, grandson of Rev. Da- 
niel Brewer of Springfield, graduated at Yale in 
1765, became a Sandemanian. When and where 
he died is not known. 

January, 1769. Aaron Church, of Springfield, gra- 
duated at Yale in 1765, was ordained at Hartland, 
Ct., October 20, 1773, dismissed in 1814, and 
died in 1823, aged 77 years. 

January, 1771. John Keep, of Longmeadow, gradu- 
ated at Yale in 1769, was ordained at Sheffield in 
1772, and died in 1785, aged 36 years. 

July, 1772. Abnvr Smith, of Springfield, graduated 
at Harvard in 1770 ; was pastor of the Church at 
Great Hill, in Derby, Ct.. from 1786 to 1824. 

April, 1773. John BaUantine, son of Rev. John B., 
of Westfield, graduated at Harvard in 1768 ; was 
never settled and never married ; died in the 
house in which he was born, in 1832, aged 83 
years. 

January, 1786. John Taylor, of Westfield, gradu- 
ated at Yale in 1784 ; settled at Deerfield in 1787; 
was dismissed on account of a loss of his voice ; 
engaged in secular business ; preached occasion- 
ally in the latter part of his life, and died at Bruce, 
Mil, December 26, 1840, aged 78 years. 

July, 1788. Publius V. Booge % of Farmington, Ct., 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 133 

graduated at Yale in 1787, was settled at Win- 
chester, Ct., again in Vermont, and died in west- 
ern N. Y., August, 1836, aged 72. 

Enos Bliss, of Longmeadow, graduated at Yale in 
1787. 

April, 1791. Ebenezer Gay, son of Dr. Gay of 
Suffield, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1787, suc- 
ceeded his father, and died in February, 1837, 
aged 71 years. 

October, 1792. Heman Ball, of West Springfield, 
graduated at Dartmouth in 1791, was ordained 
at Rutland, Vt., in 1797, received the degree of 
D.D. from Union College, and died in 1821, aged 
57 years. 

William Nash graduated at Yale in 1791, and died 
in 1829. 

June, 1795. Jesse Appleton, of New Ipswich, N. H., 
graduated at Dartmouth in 1792, w T as settled at 
Hampton, N. H. ; was president of Bowdoin 
College from 1807 to his death, w T hich occurred 
November 12, 1819, aged 47 years. He received 
the degree of D.D. from Dartmouth and Harvard. 

October, 1796. Stephen Thacher graduated at Yale 
in 1795 ; was never ordained. 

June, 1797. Benjamin R. Woodbridge, of South 
Hadley, graduated at Dartmouth in 1795, settled 
at Norwich from 1799 to 1831, and removed to 



134 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

South Haclley, where he died about 1841. He 
was never married. 

February, 1801. Abijah Biscoe graduated at Dart- 
mouth in 1798, and was never settled. 

June, 1801. Festus Foster graduated at Williams' 
College in 1800, was pastor of the Church in 
in Petersham from 1802 to 1817, became a Uni- 
tarian, removed to Brimfield, and resided on a 
farm till he died, in 1846, aged 69 years. 

June, 1804. Truman Baldwin graduated at Yale in 
1802, was a native of Granville. He studied 
theology with Dr. Emmons, and is preaching in 
western New York. 

October, 1804. Thaddeus Osgood graduated at 
Dartmouth in 1803 — the Canadian missionary; 
he was ordained as an Evangelist at ^Yilbraham, 
in 1806, and died recently. 

Ephrahn P. Bradford graduated at Harvard in 1803. 

February, 1805. Roger Adams, of Simsbury, was 
once an infidel ; was converted in the great revi- 
val in 1799, was deacon of the Church in West 
Granville, preached at Otis with good success, 
and removed to western New York. 

October, 1805. Sylvester Burt, of Southampton, 
graduated at Williams' College in 1S04. was pas- 
tor at Warren from 1S06 to 1S11 ; at South New 
Marlborough from 1813 to 1822, and at Great 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 135 

Barrington from 1823 till his death, in 1836, aged 
54 years. 

Aaron Gates, of Hartland, Ct., graduated at Wil- 
liams' College in 1804; was pastor at Montague, 
then at South Amherst, and last at Hartland, Ct., 
where he died in 1850, aged 69 years. 

Isaac Garvin graduated at Dartmouth in 1803. 

February, 1806. Alfred Ely. (See Monson.) 

William Rickey graduated at Dartmouth in 1804; 
has been settled at Canton and Needham. 

Jesse Fisher graduated at Harvard in 1803, and was 
ordained at Scotland Society, in Windham, Ct., 
in 1811, where he died, September 29, 1836, aged 
59 years. 

June, 1806. James Taylor, of Westfield, graduated 
at Williams' College in 1804, was ordained at 
Sunderland in 1807 ; died in 1831, aged 48 years. 

October, 1806. Newton Skinner graduated at Yale 
in 1804; settled at Berlin, Ct., and died in 1825, 
aged 42. 

Saul Clark. (See Chester.) 

Nehemiah B. Beardsley, of Somers, Ct., graduated 
at Yale in 1805 ; is now residing at Somers. 

February, 1807. Enoch Burt. (See Holland.) 

October, 1812. Harvey Coe, of Granville, graduat- 
ed at Williams' College in 1811; has been for 
many years an agent of A. B. C. for foreign mis- 
sions, and now resides at Hudson, Ohio. 



136 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

February, 1813. Elisha B. Coolie, of Otis, pastor 
at Manchester, Ct., was drowned in 1823, aged 
34. He graduated at Williams' College in 1811. 

October, 1814. Joseph Knight, of Monson, gradu- 
ated at Brow T n University in 1813 ; ordained at 
Stafford, Ct., in 1816, in Granby i» 1830, and in 
Peru, where he now resides, in 1836. 

Joy H. Fairchild, of Guilford, Ct., graduated at 
Yale in 1813, ordained at East Hartford in 1816, 
and is now pastor of a Church in South Boston. 

October, 1815. Ela??i C. Clark graduated at Wil- 
liams' College in 1812 ; was pastor of a Church 
in Providence one year ; wrote and committed his 
sermons. He died at Suffield, Ct., in 1837, aged 
48 years. 

February, 1816. Augustus B. Collins, of Guilford, 
Ct., received an honorary degree of A.M. from 
Williams' College ; has been pastor at Andover, 
Preston, and Stafford, Ct., and resides now at 
Norwalk, Ct., supplying vacant churches tempo- 
rarily. 

June, 1816. David L. Hunn, of Longmeadow, gra- 
duated at Yale in 1813, was settled at Sandwich 
from 1818 to 1S30, and is now residing in Roches- 
ter, N. Y. 

Horatio J. Lombard. (See Feeding Hills.) 

October, 1816. Roger C. Hutch, of Granville, gra- 
duated at Yale in 1815; has recently been dis- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 137 

• missed from Warwick, where he has been pastor 
for many years. 

Ephraim Chapin graduated at Williams' College in 
1814. 

Edward W. Rossiter graduated at Williams' College 
in 1815, and died in 1821, aged 27 years. 

June, 1817. Parsons O. Hayes graduated at Wil- 
liams' College in 1816 ; died in 1839, aged 51 years. 

October, 1817. Eli Moody, not a graduate, was 
minister at Granby several years, resigned in con- 
sequence of ill-health, and resides on a farm in 
Montague. 

Theodore Clapp, of East Hampton, graduated at 
Yale in 1814, and preaches in New Orleans. 

June, 1819. Joseph Bracket, Jr., graduated at 
Williams' College in 1815 ; was born in Peter- 
borough, N. H. ; settled in N. Y., and died in 
1832, aged 41 years. 

October, 1819. Noah A. Saxton, of South Wilbra- 
ham, graduated at Union in 1818, was editor of 
the New York Evangelist for a time, died June 
19, 1834, aged 36. 

June, 1820. Reuben S. Hazen. (See Feeding 
Hills.) 

Philetus Clark, of Southampton, graduated at Mid- 
dlebury in 1818, has been pastor in Windsor, and 
is now at the West. 

February, 1821. Harvey Smith. (See Feeding 
Hills.) 



138 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

February, 1822. Jonathan L. Hale was bom in 
Goshen, Ct. ; graduated at Middlebury in 1819, 
settled in Compton, N. H., then in Windham, 
Me., and died in 1835, aged 43 years. 

June, 1823. John C. Morgan, of West Springfield, 
graduated at Williams' College in 1820, and is 
preaching in Ira, N. Y. 

February, 1814. Parsons Cook, of Hadley, gradu- 
ated at Williams' College in 1822; settled at 
Ware, and is now in Lynn. He received the de- 
gree of D.D. from Lafayette and Williams' Col- 
leges. 

June, 1826. Warren Isham, of South Wilbraham, 
has been editor of a paper in Michigan. 

June, 1827. Gordon Hayes, of Granby, Ct., gra- 
duated at Yale in 1823, and settled in Washing- 
ton, Ct. 

Amasa A. Hayes, of Granby, Ct., graduated at Yale 
in 1824, settled at Londonderry, X. H., and died 
October, 1830, aged 32 years. 

February, 1828. Giles Pease, of Somers, Ct., not 
a graduate, settled at Lowell, and is now at Sand- 
wich. 

June, 1830. EUphalet Strong, Jr., of Somers. Ct., 
graduated at Amherst in .1828, and settled at 
Hood, N. H. 

October, 1831. William Bcment* of Ashfield, gra- 
duated at Dartmouth in 1828; settled first at 
Easthampton, and is now at Elmira, X. Y. 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 139 

June, 1833. Justin Perkins, of West Springfield, 
graduated at Amherst in 1829, is a missionary to 
the Nestorians in Persia. He received the degree 
of D.D. from Amherst. 

June, 1837. William Allen, of Princeton, settled 
at Quincy in 1841, and is now residing in Lowell. 

February, 1838. Noah Bishop graduated at Yale 
in 1833, and settled in Ohio. 

October, 1838. Philo Canfield graduated at Wil- 
liams' College in 1836, and is pastor in Wilton, 
Ct. 

George Langdon, of Hartford, is a missionary at 
the West. 

G. W. Underwood, settled at Charlton for a time ; 
his health failed, and he is now engaged in secu- 
lar business in Michigan. 

John Wood graduated at Amherst in 1836. 

October, 1838. Edmund Wright, not a graduate ; a 
student from East Windsor. 

February, 1839. Chauncey D. Rice, of Ludlow, 
two years a student at Yale, pastor at Granby, 
Ct., and then at East Douglass ; dismissed on 
account of ill-health, and now resides in Worces- 
ter. 

June, 1839. Alexander Montgomery, of Westfield, 
N. Y., graduated at Amherst in 1837, and is now 
an agent of the American Tract Society, and re- 
sides at Chicago. 



140 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

Henry G. Van Lennejyp, of Smyrna, Asia Minor, gra- 
duated at Amherst in 1837, and is a missionary 
at Constantinople. 

June, 1840. William W. Woodivorth, of Durham, 
Ct., graduated at Yale in 1838, was settled first 
at Berlin, Ct., and is now at Waterbury, Ct. 

June, 1840. Anson McCloud graduated at Yale in 
1838, and is pastor of the Church in Topsfield. 

June, 1842. Daniel T. Bagg graduated at Union; 
was pastor of a Church in New York ; died at 
West Springfield, his native place. 

August, 1842. Perkins K. Clarke, of Westfield, 
graduated at Yale in 1838, and is pastor of the 
Church in Hinsdale. 

February, 1843. Jeremiah IT. Tuck. (See Lud- 
low.) 

August, 1843. Henry Cooley. (See Southwick.) 

February, 1844. John Lawrence, not a graduate, 
has been a teacher several years, and is now pas- 
tor at Carlisle. 

LICENSED BY HAMPDEN WEST 

June, 1848. Isaac De Voe, of Troy, graduated at 
Union, had been a Methodist preacher, and is 
now at North East, N. Y. 

LICENSED BY HAMPDEN EAST. 

May 6, 1845. Otis Lombard. Native of Spring- 



IN HAMPDEN COUNTY. 141 

field ; graduated at Amherst in 1834 ; settled in 
New Marlboro south parish in 1849. 

June 4, 1846. Christopher Gushing. Native of 
Scituate ; graduated at Yale in 1844 ; settled 
over the Edwards Church, Boston, in 1849, and 
in North Brookfield as colleague with Rev. Tho- 
mas Snell, D.D., in 1851. 

George A. Bryan, of Waterbury, Ct., graduated at 
Yale in 1843, and settled in Upper Middletown in 
1849. 

D. K. Turner, of Hartford, Ct., graduated at Yale 
in 1843, and settled in Pennsylvania. 

Isaac G. Bliss, of Springfield, graduated at Amherst 
in 1844, and went on a mission to Erzeroom. 

S. V. Blakesley, of Clinton, Ohio. Settled in Ohio. 

August 4, 1846. A. A. Stephens, of Cheshire, Ct. 
Settled in Meriden, Ct., in 1848. 

W. P. Dare, of Wilton, N. Y. Preaching in Rhode 
Island. 

J. W. Tarlton, of Boston. 

May 4, 1847. Charles Gibbs, of Ohio. 

August 3, 1847. William W. Baldwin, of West 
Granville. He now resides in his native town. 

Josiah Tyler, son of Rev. Dr. Tyler of East Windsor, 
graduated at Amherst in 1845, and is now a mis- 
sionary to the Zulus of Africa. 

Charles L. Woodworth, of Monson, graduated at 
Amherst in 1845, and was settled in Amherst east 
parish in 1849. 



142 SKETCHES OF CHURCHES AND PASTORS 

November 1, 1848. Charles G. Goddard, of Pe- 
tersham, Vt., graduated at Amherst in 1841, and 
settled in West Hartland, Ct., in 1850. 

James B. Thornton, of Saco, Me. Settled in Maine. 

Geo. F. Bronson, of Middlebury, Ct., settled at 
Shelburn Falls in 1851. 



SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE. 

The first object of religious charity, to which the 
churches of Hampden county contributed systema- 
tically, was home missions. The Hampshire Co. 
Missionary Society was formed in 1^02. This 
county, then being a part of Hampshire, contributed 
regularly to its funds. After the division of the 
county, the interest in the Hampshire society dimi- 
nished somewhat. 

The Hampden County Home Missionary Soci< 
was organized in May, 1831, and the first public 
meeting was hold en October 14, of that year, and 
annual meetings have been holden ever since in Oc- 
tober. The amount of money raised for this object 
in 1S35 was $1,210; the amount raised in 1845 waa 
$1,375, and in 1853, §2,044, exclusive of legacies. 

This society looks first to the wants of the desti- 
tute churches in our own county, and then to the 
wants of the whole field occupied by the A. H. M. 
Society. 

It is an interesting fact that fourteen churches of 
this county, which have received missionary aid, 
now sustain themselves ; and only four are depend- 
ent on the assistance of others. 

A Bible Society was organized in 1814, the object 



SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE. 143 

of which was more particularly to supply the desti- 
tute in our own county. Committees were appointed 
in each town to ascertain how many families were 
destitute of the Bible, to raise money to purchase 
Bibles for them, and to get subscribers who would 
pay one dollar a year, and receive a Bible for every 
dollar they paid. The idea exists in the minds of 
many of the elderly people, to this day, that they 
are entitled to as many Bibles annually as they give 
dollars. In that and the succeeding year the county 
was pretty carefully canvassed, and the destitute 
supplied. In 1817 the society seems to have be- 
come rather inefficient. They had supplied the 
people at home, and were then called to extend their 
charities to the destitute elsewhere. During this 
year $200 were paid over to the American Bible 
Society. 

The county was explored again in 1825, and in 
1845. The amount contributed to this society in 
1853 was 8949. 

The Hampden County Education Society was 
organized in 1814. Considerable money was re- 
ceived between that and 1820, for scholarships, 
which has entered the permanent funds of the Ame- 
rican Society. The effect was to make the people 
feel that they are all life-members of the society, 
and have no farther duty to perform. The amount 
contributed to this object by all the churches in the 
county in 1853 was only $340. 

There was no county organization for Foreign 
Missions till 1823; the first annual meeting of the 
county society was holden in 1824. Contributions 
were made to this cause as early as 1811, by some 
individuals, but comparatively little was done for 
several years. In 1814 there is said to have been a 
missionary society, which I- think was an agreement 
on the part of ministers as an Association to diffuse 



144 SRSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE. 

information, and collect funds for this object. But 
the contributions were not very systematic. The 
amount contributed by the churches in the county 
in 1853 was $3,945. 

The Hampden County Tract Society was organ- 
ized in 1837, and the first annual report presented 
in 1838. The receipts of that year were $431 ; the 
receipts in 1853 were $1,231. 

A Seaman's Friend Society was organized in 
1839. The contributions have been small, and only 
a part of the churches contribute regularly to this 
object. The amount given in 1853 was $217. 

Besides these, the churches contribute more or 
less to all the causes of Christian benevolence. 

An annual meeting is holden in the early part of 
October, each year, commencing at 4 o'clock, p.m. 
on one day, and closing at evening the next day. 
At this meeting addresses are made in favor of all 
the causes of benevolence for which contributions 
are made, and means used to awaken in our churches 
a deeper interest in doing good to all men, as they 
have opportunity. 



THE END. 



MAR S3 1903 



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